MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta called on the Senate blue ribbon committee to invite former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to its next hearing on the alleged flood control irregularities, saying the lawmaker should be given the chance to address the allegations against him.

In a report, it said that Marcoleta, who previously chaired the committee, said he believes Romualdez could not have acted alone in the alleged anomalies and suggested that the former House Speaker may know other individuals involved.

“‘How can I be the mastermind?’ Sabi niyang gano’n. Alam mo, sa tanong lang niya na ‘yun, parang kilala niya kung sino ang mastermind. Kaya sinasabi niya, ‘How can I be?’ Sabi niya. Ibig sabihin, alam niya,” the senator said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

“Pero ‘yung pagsasabi niya ng gano’n, hindi niya dineny ‘yung kanyang involvement. Malinaw ‘yun. Alam niya kasama siya. ‘Hindi nga lang ako ang mastermind,’ sabi niyang gano’n. At this anomaly cannot be done by only one person. E’di alam niya talaga,” he added.

Romualdez, in a video statement, has denied any involvement in corruption related to the 2025 national budget, stressing that there is no evidence linking him to plunder or conspiracy to commit plunder.

“There is no evidence that proves that he committed plunder, conspiracy to commit plunder, or any similar offense that the Ombudsman may be contemplating against me,” Romualdez said.

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson earlier said Romualdez had been invited at least twice to attend hearings and respond to the allegations under oath, but did not appear in the November 14, 2025 and January 19, 2026 sessions.

Lacson said he is open to inviting Romualdez again to the next hearing, along with former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and other individuals who have made claims regarding alleged kickbacks.

Marcoleta, for his part, said Romualdez should be asked to testify, citing what he described as indications that the former Speaker is willing to speak on the matter.

“Dapat siyang ipatawag ngayon. Kung susumahin mo ‘yun, ang Blue Ribbon, ang gagawin niya, i-analyze niya, malinaw na malinaw, na sa public statement ni former Speaker Martin Romualdez, he’s ready to talk,” he said.

He also said he is willing to sign the committee’s partial report once all necessary testimonies are completed.

“‘Pag natukoy na natin lahat, at maganda na naging kinalabasan ng report, pipirma na ako,” Marcoleta said.

So far, the partial report has been signed by six senators: Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

At least nine signatures are needed from the 17-member committee for the report to be submitted and deliberated on the Senate floor, where it may be debated, amended, and potentially adopted.