Tiangco claims Marcos confronted Romualdez over alleged misuse of funds

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco on Tuesday claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. allegedly confronted his cousin, Leyte Rep. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, over accusations of pocketing public funds and diverting them to pet projects.

In a television interview, Tiangco said Marcos confronted Romualdez over the alleged diversion of unprogrammed funds to projects favored by Romualdez and then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Tiangco quoted the President as asking Romualdez how much wealth would be enough.

“Ilang bahay ba ang... Martin, kayo ni Zaldy, ilang bahay ba ang gusto n'yo sa Forbes Park? Gaano karaming eroplano, helicopter?” Tiangco said, quoting Marcos.

“Gaano karaming caviar kaya n'yo kainin? Ilang Ferrari gusto n'yo?” he added.

According to Tiangco, Marcos ordered Romualdez to return the money allegedly taken from unprogrammed funds, but the directive was never carried out. He said the President was often perceived as being “too good.”

“Ang problema kasi ang impression kay Presidente masyadong mabait e,” Tiangco said when asked why Romualdez allegedly defied Marcos’ order.

“Mabait siya even…tingnan mo lang ha, in one interview, he said he was so mad pero iba iyong pag tayo iyong nagsabi I’m so mad. Pero iyong sa kanya, I’m so mad pero para sa kanya iba e, mabait e,” he added.

Tiangco further claimed that real power within the House of Representatives was heavily centralized under Romualdez from 2022 to 2025 because of his familial ties to the President. He said many lawmakers felt they could not question decisions or seek clarification without risking political consequences.

“Ito ang first time na nagkaroon ng Speaker na pinsang buo. So kung may sinabi ang Speaker sa isang congressman na ganito, pwede mo ba tanungin yung Presidente na—Sir, na-clear ba to sainyo? Sino ang maglalakas ng loob diba?” Tiangco said.

“Kung hindi sya kamag anak ng Presidente, they will have the courage to clear it with the President,” he added.

Tiangco also claimed that surveys conducted ahead of the 2025 senatorial elections showed Romualdez was a major factor in the decline of Marcos’ approval ratings.

“Pero doon pa lang, nakikita na ang nagpapababa sa ratings niya, si Martin,” he said, adding that the President was aware of it.

Romualdez stepped down as House Speaker on September 17 following the probe into alleged flood control irregularities. However, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson has said there is no evidence linking Romualdez to the issue.