BLOOD IS THICKER than water, but not in instances when familial relationships could spell disaster.
In the case of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, he has become more like an extra baggage to the administration, for which his cousin at the helm of the Palace finds it rather imperative to consider “damage control” by ditching him out.
Romualdez has earlier been tagged as the main architect behind the systemic corruption embarking on ghost flood control projects being investigated by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Aside from Romualdez, likewise dragged into the flood control scandal are members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private contractors.
But not all in the list of personalities suspected to have something to do with what appears more like a scandal that is hundreds fold bigger than the pork barrel scam.
To ensure accountability, the ICI formally requested the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for the issuance of a lookout bulletin to 31 individuals — with no less than the President’s first cousin on top of the list.
A day after the request was formally submitted, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that the request — issuance of immigration lookout order against Romualdez and 30 other prominent personalities – has been granted.
SWINDLERS’ LIST
Aside from Romualdez, also on the list included former Senate President Francis Escudero, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., former senator now Makati Mayor Nancy Binay, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana and contractor wife Marilou, Education Undersecretary Trygve Olaivar, Carlene Villa, Special Envoy to China for Trade, Investment and Tourism Maynard Ngu.
Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, Uswag Ilonggo Rep. James “Jojo” Ang, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde, AGAP Rep. Nicanor “Nikki” Briones, Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, former San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. now mayor Florida “Rida” Robes, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, Laguna 4th District Rep. Benjamin “Benjie” Agarao, former An Waray Rep. Bem Noel.
Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody “Ode” Tarriela, Quezon 3rd District Rep. Reynante “Reynan” Arogancia, former Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo, Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico “Teodoro” Haresco Jr., Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Rep. Antonieta Eudela, Caloocan 3rd District Rep. Dean Asistio, Quezon City 6th District Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar, District Engineer Loida Busa “Bogs” Magalong, District Engineer Ramon Devanadera, District Engineer Johnny Protesta Jr., District Engineer Arturo Gonzales Jr.
NOT ON THE LIST
Aside from Escudero, Estrada and Villanueva, conspicuously missing on the list are other members of the senate whose names have also been dragged into the scandal.
Also not on the list is fugitive Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who has earlier been reported to hopping from one European country to another to evade the ICI investigation. He however has recently been spotted in Portugal.
However, the DOJ earlier claimed that the government has already requested the International Police Organization (Interpol) to issue a “blue notice” against the former partylist congressman.
The justice department already previously issued an ILBO against some DPWH officials and top flood control contractors.
Former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., in his capacity as chairman of the ICI, said that the issuance of ILBO is of utmost necessity to enable the Commission to proceed without delay and to hold those liable accountable to the Filipino people.
ICI INVITES ROMUALDEZ
The ICI also invited Romualdez, and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to appear before the commission on October 14 to discuss his “familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House relative to the National Budget insertions and as well as the DPWH flood control projects.”
Pangandaman for her part would be made to explain “line projects which are linked to the ghost projects, substandard or otherwise unfinished implementations of flood control projects.”
Part of the interrogation would delve on the government procedures for the release of the unprogrammed funds.
Romualdez’s office said he has received the invitation from the ICI.
“Rep. Romualdez welcomes the opportunity to cooperate with the Commission and fully supports its objective of promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. In this regard, Rep. Romualdez is prepared to appear before the Commission,” his office added.
ICI also issued a subpoena to Co “to testify under oath relative to your personal knowledge ever since you joined the Committee on Appropriations of the National Budget insertions and your involvement in DPWH flood control projects.”
He has also been told to present documents in his appearance before the ICI.