Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson alleged that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez used individuals identified as the “Discaya” as fronts to purchase a house and lot in a prominent subdivision in Makati City.
Lacson said information reaching his office pointed to the alleged use of the Discaya in acquiring the property. He said he is arranging a meeting with the former owner of the property, adding that any information obtained would serve as the starting point of an inquiry into Romualdez’s possible link to the Discaya.
The senator said the allegations will be investigated on Monday, Jan. 19, during a Senate inquiry under the Blue Ribbon Committee chaired by Lacson.
Romualdez, now representing Leyte’s first district, denied the allegation through his lawyer and spokesperson, Atty. Ade Fajardo. In a statement, Fajardo said Romualdez has no knowledge of and no involvement in the alleged transaction.
“Rep. Romualdez has no knowledge nor involvement in the purported transaction,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo added that Romualdez has not met the Discaya and has only learned of them through media reports. He also cited the testimony of Curlee Discaya given in September, in which Discaya stated under oath that he did not transact with Romualdez.
“Allegations cannot override testimony given under oath. Facts cannot be replaced by speculation,” Fajardo said.
As of this writing, no findings have been released, and the issue remains centered on the conflicting claims between Lacson and Romualdez’s camp, pending the outcome of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry.
