Lacson: Marcos critics should be silenced by Romualdez arrest

MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of former House Speaker and presidential cousin Rep. Martin Romualdez should hush President Marcos’ critics, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said on Monday evening. “With the arrest of his cousin, former Speaker Romualdez, the President’s critics who have accused him of weak leadership and a lack of resolve in confronting the flood-control mess should now be silenced by his actions,” Lacson stated in a social media post. “Let the trial proceed and let the evidence speak. Most importantly, the former Speaker is now given his day in court,” Lacson also said. In his last State of the Nation Address, Marcos vowed that the cases against his cousin in connection with the flood control mess would still be pursued. This is amid accusations that Marcos is shielding his allies in the corruption scandal, and instead targeting the opposition. READ: Martin Romualdez arrested At 7:20 p.m., Romualdez was arrested at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City for plunder after supposedly receiving P7.44 billion worth of kickbacks from government projects, including flood control infrastructure from 2022 to 2025. At around 4 p.m., hours before the news of his arrest, Romualdez was rushed to the hospital after a “cardiovascular event” and a panic attack, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Lacson also commended the Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the plunder case against the congressman earlier today, saying, “The Ombudsman likewise deserves all the praise and support from the Filipino people.” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla previously characterized Romualdez as a “central figure” in the flood control mess, noting that it would be difficult to go against plentiful resources. READ: 2 witnesses bare alleged link between Discaya, Romualdez It was government contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in 2025 who first linked the former Speaker to the infrastructure anomalies. According to the Discayas, Quezon Rep. Marvin Rillo introduced Romualdez to them as his close friend when Rillo demanded kickbacks in exchange for government contracts. In early 2026, two witnesses linked the Discaya couple to Romualdez, alleging that a broker for a South Forbes Park home had introduced them to Curlee Discaya, who said it was the former House Speaker who bought the property. Romualdez previously denied having any role in the flood control scheme, with his lawyers pressing that the congressman had been prejudged by the Ombudsman as a mastermind figure in the infrastructure ordeal. /cb