Lawmakers are rallying around Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez following Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Senator Panfilo Lacson’s recent statement that there was no evidence linking the former House Speaker to the multibillion-peso flood control controversy.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong welcomed Lacson’s remarks on Monday, saying they underscored a basic principle of due process — allegations must be supported by evidence, affidavits and documentation.

“This reinforces what should be obvious in any serious inquiry — without factual evidence, sworn statements, and documents, there is nothing to pursue,” Adiong said. “Critics should stop the political noise and pressure tactics. Investigations are not trials by rumor.”

In a radio interview on Sunday, Lacson noted that while Romualdez’s name came up in discussions, the Senate committee could not act without solid proof.

“Actually, Speaker Romualdez was being mentioned, but the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee cannot do anything because, as I said, wherever the evidence leads us that’s where we will go,” Lacson said in Filipino.

The senator noted that no witnesses have directly implicated Romualdez, except for ex-Marine Orly Guteza, whose testimony has not been substantiated. Guteza has yet to appear before the Department of Justice, the Ombudsman, or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to repeat his claims under oath.

“The problem is he appeared once and then vanished like a bubble. In fact, he’s still missing to this day,” Lacson said.

Adiong stressed that public officials deserve the same fairness extended to any citizen. “When a witness disappears and no sworn affirmation follows, you cannot manufacture a case,” he said.

Deputy Speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno also backed Lacson, dismissing rumors that the senator was under pressure from Malacañang and other quarters to block the inquiry.

“Senator Lacson categorically rejected those allegations, and those of us who know him can confirm that pressure would not work on him,” Puno said.

He urged all sides to allow the investigations to proceed objectively and without partisan motives.

“The public discourse should be guided by evidence and fairness. When there is no proof, everyone should stop turning serious issues into political theater,” he said.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega echoed the call, urging critics to stop the political noise and emphasizing that investigations must be anchored on sworn statements and documentation, not insinuations.

“Accountability is important, but it cannot be built on rumors or unsubstantiated claims,” Ortega said. “In the absence of affidavits and documentation, the responsible course is to stop the noise and allow the institutions to do their work.”

Ortega said Lacson’s approach reflected how investigations should be conducted — calm, independent, and evidence-based. Persistent political attacks without proof, he said, only undermine public trust and distract from genuine reform efforts.

“Let the evidence speak. If there is none, then it is time to stop politicizing the issue and to move forward,” Ortega said.