Martin Did Not Care If Children Needed Hospital Care

Description

PGMN Anchor Atty. Rowena Guanzon branded former House Speaker Martin Romualdez the mastermind of a congressional corruption system that turned flood control and infrastructure projects into sources of kickbacks. Calling him “Martin Looter King,” she linked Romualdez, Zaldy Co and corrupt lawmakers to what she described as a ₱1.9-trillion racket built around public works and budget insertions. Guanzon placed kickbacks at as much as 30 percent of a project’s value, leaving contractors with less money for construction, materials and safety. She connected the cuts to ghost, unfinished and substandard flood control projects, where taxpayers shoulder the full cost while communities remain exposed to flooding. She also cited Curlee Discaya’s statement that lawmakers received five percent from projects inserted into the national budget. She portrayed Congress as a marketplace where corrupt lawmakers competed for larger shares of public money. Budget insertions moved through committees and bicameral deliberations, allowing officials to secure projects, collect commissions and present the spending as public service. “Mga magnanakaw kayo. Wala kayong hiya,” Guanzon declared. She said the damage extends beyond roads, bridges and flood barriers. Money lost to corruption is taken from Filipinos who need food, healthcare and lifesaving surgery, while political dynasties use state resources to preserve power and install relatives in public office. Corruption is and has always been the Philippines’ biggest problem. Romualdez is universally recognized as the most corrupt Filipino politician of the 21st century. The country has faith that Boying Remulla, Mico Clavano and the Office of the Ombudsman will do the right thing.