Veteran broadcaster Karen Davila directly questioned House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno over the accountability of Speaker Martin Romualdez, amid mounting allegations of ostentatious wealth and budget-related corruption.
In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Davila asked whether Romualdez had truly resigned or was only taking a temporary leave of absence. Puno explained that the Speaker initially considered stepping aside due to growing criticism but later chose to formally resign after a meeting with President Bongbong Marcos, describing it as a “clean break” to confront the allegations against him.
Davila pressed the issue further, saying, “The truth, Congressman, is he gives a bad name to the Marcos administration. That’s feedback from analysts. Would you agree?”
Puno defended Romualdez, pointing to the budget controversy that erupted late last year and early this year. He said Romualdez was unfairly singled out when Congress had in fact transmitted what he described as a “proper” budget to the Senate. Puno stressed that the enrolled copy kept the Department of Education budget intact, preserved PhilHealth trust funds, and even reduced the DPWH budget.
“But when the Senate acted, the trust fund was removed, the Department of Education was reduced, and the Department of Public Works and Highways was increased by a few hundred,” Puno explained, maintaining that Congress — and Romualdez in particular — should not be blamed for the changes.
Davila countered that the Speaker could not be shielded from responsibility, emphasizing the need for accountability. “Congressman, I understand you work with him, but we need to hold our leaders accountable. He is the Speaker of the House. The budget emanates from the House,” she said, citing reports of “ostentatiousness and extreme wealth — private planes, supposedly more than ten houses in Forbes Park.”
She argued that portraying Romualdez as a victim was unacceptable to the public.
“In the end, he would not even explain the corruption in the budget that he allowed. The House passed it. This is not the kind of wealth we saw in past administrations. We were already angry with GMA, with Erap. This is a whole other level of alleged corruption,” she said.
Davila warned that public outrage could intensify unless Romualdez addressed the allegations directly.
“When you hear about homes abroad, it’s very difficult to defend Martin who was in power unless he submits his SALN. Stepping aside, I don’t think is enough for the Filipino people. It’s not personal to me, but as a leader, this is inexcusable,” she declared.
She added that Romualdez’s resignation only made him appear as if he were the aggrieved party. “Parang biktima pa siya — na ang bait niya, gusto niyang tumabi,” Davila remarked, underscoring her position that the Speaker must face the controversy head-on rather than bowing out quietly.
