Martin Romualdez set to resign as House Speaker today amidst flood control linkage

By Jed Queenny Cruz

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, Sr., who won the post unopposed during the 20th Congress, is set to step down following his alleged links to the flood control scheme.

From being Majority Leader in 2019 to gaining 282 votes as Speaker in 2022, Romualdez has long cemented his influence in the lower chamber. But as heavy rains poured, questions over the misuse of flood control funds surfaced. District engineers and DPWH employees were named, and later, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Romualdez’s cousin, identified the top contractors who received the biggest allocations nationwide.

Among them are the Discayas, who admitted to owning nine companies bidding for projects since 2016. Their wealth was not the most shocking revelation—in a Senate hearing on September 8, 2025, they alleged that politicians demanded at least 25% of project budgets, with portions funneled upward to Congressman Zaldy Co and Romualdez himself. This fueled Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that the two control the nation’s coffers.

The scandal also toppled former Senate President Chiz Escudero, who was outvoted after a contractor admitted giving him ₱30 million during the election. With senators shifting their votes, Vicente “Tito” Sotto took over the Senate presidency. Calls then grew louder for Romualdez to resign.

Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno revealed in a DZMM interview that Romualdez already met with allies, announcing his plan to resign and endorsing Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as his replacement.

As of writing, the nation still awaits official confirmation of Romualdez’s resignation and clarity on who will succeed him as House Speaker.