Senator Chiz Escudero delivered a fiery privilege speech at the Senate Plenary Session on Monday, September 29, 2025, directly accusing former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating a "scripted diversion" to shift public anger away from congressmen who are allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

“Sa mga nakaraang linggo, malinaw na nililihis ang galit ng taong bayan tungkol sa mga ghost at substandard flood control projects mula sa mga totoong may kasalanan patungo sa Senado at sa mga miyembro nito,” Escudero stated, pointing out what he described as an orchestrated effort to use senators as scapegoats.

Escudero claimed that senators were being unfairly targeted through baseless allegations, as resource persons continuously drop their names in hearings despite having no direct involvement or interaction with them.

“Tila ginagawang panakip-butas, fall guy, at dibersyon ang mga senador palayo sa Kamara at sa mga tunay na may sala. Klarong-klaro po ang script nito," he said. “Ipitin ang dating tatlong DPWH officials, pakantahin sila, ‘mema’ — mema-banggit lang ng senador habang pinagtatakpan ang mga congressman na tunay na kasabwat nila sa mga lugar na ginagalawan nila.”

The senator did not mince words when he named House Speaker Martin Romualdez as the alleged architect of the supposed narrative.

“Iisang tao lang ang nasa likod ng script at sarswelang ito… Martin Romualdez,” Escudero declared.

He further cited testimonies from Senate hearings involving the Discaya couple and Zaldy Co’s ex-security Orly Guteza, who allegedly claimed he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez. Escudero emphasized that these allegations have been part of the official record of Senate proceedings.

The senator also quoted the statement of former ICI special adviser Benjamin Magalong in one of his interviews, mentioning the name of the former Speaker, “Lalabanan ko ba ang mga ang lalakas na ‘yan? Sila Speaker [Martin Romualdez]? Lalabanan ko ba ‘yung mga mayayaman na ‘yan kung ako’y bulok?”

Escudero's speech is expected to intensify the ongoing friction between the Senate and Congress amid investigations into alleged corruption in public infrastructure spending

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