Escudero accuses Romualdez of staging event to shield House members from flood control anomaly charges

Senator Francis Escudero accused former Speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating a "sarswela" or staged event to divert public attention from House lawmakers involved in flood control anomalies.

Escudero alleged that testimonies from detained Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials were used to name-drop senators, making them scapegoats while members of the House of Representatives linked to anomalous projects were being shielded.

His diatribe was hurled days after the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the filing of charges against Escudero and several senators, including Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada and former senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, in relation to the flood control scandal.

While former Rep. Zaldy Co was also recommended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for indictment and prosecution, Romualdez was not among those facing charges.

Escudero believes this tactic is an attempt by House members to escape accountability for their actions in flood control projects and identified Romualdez as the person behind the "script" and "sarswela."

Romualdez, reacting to Escudero's speech, claimed it was a "script" prepared by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Escudero warned that Romualdez's political maneuverings are endangering national security and eroding public trust in democratic processes.