SPEAKER Martin Romualdez resigned on Wednesday amid mounting pressure of corruption allegations against House members linked to flood control project kickbacks.
Romualdez said he resigned to restore public trust and to ensure an independent probe into allegations that congressional leaders pocketed commissions from flood control funds.
“Leadership also demands difficult choices. Today, I have decided to step down as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said in his resignation speech in the plenary session.
“If my decision can help restore faith in our institutions, then I offer myself willingly as an example of accountability,” he also said.
Romualdez, however, insisted that his resignation is not an admission of guilt.
“Let me be clear: wala akong kasalanan at wala akong itinatago. Ang tanging layunin ko ay maglingkod at magpabuti ng buhay ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino (I am not guilty and I have nothing to hide. My only goal is to serve and improve the lives of every Filipino family). Yet I also know that when questions arise, it is the people’s trust that must always come first,” he said.
“Masakit man sa akin (Even if this is painful for me), I am stepping aside so that the independent investigation may proceed freely — without pressure, without influence, and without fear. This is not surrender, but conscience. Ginawa ko ito dahil naniniwala ako na ang tunay na paglilingkod ay ang pagpapahalaga sa tiwala ng taumbayan higit sa anumang posisyon (I did this because I believe that true service means valuing the people’s trust more than any position),” Romualdez said.
Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III was elected as the new Speaker of the House, replacing Romualdez, after receiving 253 votes.
