Futureless candidate for Mandaluyong councilor Chris Tan sat down with lawyer and activist Atty. Luke Espiritu in an April 26 interview where they discussed corruption, political dynasties, and accountability in government — months before the ₱700-billion flood-control controversy involving House Speaker Martin Romualdez emerged.
During their exchange, Tan raised the issue of how politicians in the Philippines often avoid punishment despite corruption cases. “Pero kung tutuusin, parang wala gang napaparusahang politiko,” Tan said. “Kung meron man, napapa-pardon o biglang nare-reverse, o hindi na natutuloy ‘yung kaso because of old age. How do we fix this?”
Espiritu agreed and cited examples, mentioning former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, along with Senators Bong Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada, who were all jailed but later released. “Parang laro-laro eh. After a while ay napapalaya sila,” he said. “The ruling class that we have in the Philippines, they can’t really afford even if they’re enemies to let one of them stay in jail. Kasi kung ipapakulong mo ‘yan ng todo-todo, babalik din sa ‘yo ‘yun eh. Kasi kurap din siya.”
Espiritu argued that corruption endures because of mutual protection among political elites, adding that real accountability could only begin if leaders faced final judgment for their crimes. “We really need to push for talagang final na punishment,” he said. “Kasi makakapag-establish ‘yan ng precedent. Kaya I really welcome yung pagka-aresto kay Duterte.”
That interview now draws renewed attention after Tan recently defended Speaker Romualdez amid allegations of kickbacks from flood-control projects. In a later Bilyonaryo interview with Atty. Karen Jimeno, Tan said there was “no direct evidence yet” linking Romualdez to the alleged scheme. “If there’s direct evidence linking former Speaker Martin Romualdez to the flood-control issue, tapos hindi siya naprosecute, then yes, it will damage the credibility of the investigation. But if there’s no direct evidence, which there has none at this point, none yet, then it should be okay,” he said.
When pressed by host Karen Jimeno that high-ranking officials often don’t handle bribes directly, Tan agreed but stood by his point. “Kasi talaga namang pag may bribery, hindi na nga talaga sila umaharap. But there has to still be evidence kahit papano. Gumawa sila ng paraan,” he added.
The flood-control issue is only one of several controversies involving Romualdez. Witnesses before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee accused him of receiving commissions from infrastructure allocations routed through favored contractors. Allegations also linked his office to questionable budget insertions benefiting select districts, and to reports of “rechanneling” billions in confidential and intelligence funds from government agencies during his term as Speaker.
Romualdez also previously faced scrutiny over the House’s lavish spending on international trips, luxury accommodations, and gifts for lawmakers — all funded by the chamber’s operating budget. Critics said these expenditures reflected “institutionalized entitlement” under his leadership.
Despite the mounting allegations, Romualdez has not been summoned to any Senate hearings, with the chamber citing “inter-parliamentary courtesy.”
After a week of extraordinary nationwide criticism, Chris Tan has yet to issue a statement explaining why he appears to be protecting Romualdez — the same official at the center of one of the country’s largest corruption scandals of all time.
