Duterte Accuses Romualdez and Marcos of Protecting Allies from Corruption Accountability
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, January 21, 2026, Davao City First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has launched serious allegations against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The lawmaker claims that both political figures are actively shielding themselves and their close allies from accountability while deliberately shifting public focus away from alleged corruption scandals involving billions of pesos in government projects.
"Enough of the Deception"
Representative Duterte declared, "Enough of the deception. While the public is being drowned in a half-baked impeachment case, the real scandals, the ones involving power, money, and blood ties are being deliberately kept out of reach." He specifically criticized Romualdez, whom he referred to as Tambaloslos, and President Marcos as Bangag Jr., describing them as "permanently untouchable" within the current political landscape.
The Davao congressman expressed deep concerns about what he characterized as selective investigations and a troubling lack of transparency in government oversight mechanisms. According to Duterte, this pattern of behavior raises fundamental questions about the integrity of accountability processes in the Philippine government.
Specific Allegations of Corruption Cover-ups
Duterte pointed to specific instances where he believes investigations have been deliberately stalled or ignored. He cited Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings where witnesses allegedly testified that contractor Curlee Discaya admitted to constructing a Forbes Park mansion for former Speaker Romualdez. The lawmaker noted that despite these serious allegations, the Senate failed to pursue further verification after Discaya later denied the claim.
"There was no cross-checking, no subpoenas, no call to the officers of the company officially listed as the owner — despite having the authority to do so," Duterte condemned, highlighting what he views as a deliberate failure to follow proper investigative procedures.
Flood Control Corruption Allegations
The congressman also brought attention to alleged corruption in flood control projects, claiming that initiatives involving Romualdez and Marcos allies have been consistently ignored by investigators. Duterte alleged that billions of pesos have disappeared from these projects while vulnerable communities continue to suffer from inadequate flood protection.
"This is no longer a coincidence. This is a pattern. Create noise with impeachment drama. Divert attention from big-money corruption. Protect the inner circle at all costs," Duterte stated, outlining what he perceives as a systematic approach to avoiding accountability.
Background of Political Rivalry
The current allegations emerge from an ongoing political feud that has intensified over recent years. Former Speaker Romualdez, who served until his resignation in September 2025, faced previous criticism for alleged misuse of congressional funds and flood control projects linked to his political allies.
Duterte claims that Romualdez's resignation was merely a tactical move to deflect scrutiny rather than a genuine step toward accountability. The political rivalry reached a peak when Pulong Duterte and fellow Duterte-aligned lawmakers openly opposed Romualdez's leadership in mid-2025, even walking out during crucial votes for his speakership.
Political observers note that these disagreements reflect broader tensions between Duterte-aligned lawmakers and the Romualdez-Marcos political alliance, which currently dominates the House of Representatives and maintains strong influence over national budget allocations and congressional oversight functions.
Warning About Democratic Erosion
Duterte's statement comes amid heightened political scrutiny over government accountability and alleged nepotism in Philippine politics. The lawmaker concluded with a pointed warning about the state of Philippine democracy: "If accountability ends where family and allies begin, then what we are witnessing is not democracy — it is power shielding itself from scrutiny. The people are not blind. They know when they are being played. And they will remember who looked away. Hukman lang gihapon mo sa katawhan karong 2028."
The statement represents one of the most direct challenges to the current administration's accountability mechanisms and sets the stage for continued political confrontation as the country moves toward future electoral cycles.
