Romualdez Requests Hearing Postponement For 'Medical Procedure'

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) announced Saturday that former House Speaker Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez,  requested the postponement of his hearing set on 22 October.

This was stated in an advisory the ICI sent to reporters, that Romualdez was scheduled to undergo a "medical procedure.” 

With this, the commission  said it will issue an advisory "once a date for the next hearing has been determined."

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the ICI to investigate corruption in flood-control and other infrastructure projects.

It can issue subpoenas but does not have the power to cite people in contempt. 

On 14 October, Romualdez, who stepped down from House leadership after being implicated in the controversy, submitted his sworn affidavit to the ICI.

Attorney Brian Hosaka, ICI Executive Director, said that the lawmaker was expected to be back to testify before the commission.

The solon though has denied involvement in insertions for flood control projects as well as allegations that he received kickbacks from contractors.

However, Romualdez said he will cooperate with the ICI probe.