As Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco testified that President Bongbong Marcos called out his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, for draining the administration’s budget through corruption, suspended lawyer Jesus Falcis once again rushed to Romualdez’s defense.
Tiangco gave the testimony during the Nov. 10 hearing of Romualdez’s ₱7.44-billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan Third Division. He said he personally witnessed Marcos confront Romualdez on Nov. 24, 2024 over funds taken from major government projects.
“Wala pa akong napapagawang malaking proyekto. Kasi kayo ni Zaldy kinukuha niyo ang pera sa mga malaking proyekto. Kayo ni Zaldy ang sumisira sa gobyernong ito, papabagsakin ninyo ang gobyerno ko,” Tiangco recalled Marcos telling his cousin.
Falcis—who has repeatedly denied being paid by Romualdez—disputed Tiangco’s account and defended the jailed former Speaker, claiming Palace Press Officer Claire Castro had already denied the congressman’s story. He also accused Tiangco of hypocrisy, pointing to his vote for the 2025 national budget and questioning why he waited months before revealing the confrontation.
However, Tiangco has maintained his account since exposing the alleged corruption involving Romualdez. He detailed a kickback scheme involving former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who demanded a 20% commission on proposed projects, with a supposed 10% “presyong kamag-anak” rate. Tiangco said Romualdez knew about the arrangement.
He also submitted a spreadsheet prepared by late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral listing ₱27.47 billion worth of projects tagged to Romualdez. Separately, DPWH official Peter Paul Cortez testified that 444 projects worth ₱27.43 billion were tagged to Romualdez and Co.
Falcis’ latest attack follows his earlier criticism of Tiangco over the same allegations, repeatedly using the congressman’s budget vote and delayed disclosure to defend Romualdez. However, the House approved the 2025 national budget on Sept. 25, 2024, before the November confrontation and December discussion of commissions.
Earlier this year, Tiangco filed 38 cyber libel counts against Falcis, accusing him of “character assassination” on social media. Falcis is also facing multiple cyber libel complaints and charges, along with a pending disbarment case filed by individuals and groups from different political and legal circles.
