A total of 19 congressmen including House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co were named as among those who benefited from anomalous flood control projects in different parts of the country.

During the public hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya, who said they owned the companies involved in the controversial flood control projects, revealed the congressmen and Department of Public Works and Highway officials who allegedly received kickbacks from government projects.

Aside from Romualdez and Co, Pacifico said other Congressmen include Pasig City Rep Roman Romulo, Uswag Ilonggo Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang, Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas, Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos Aitayde, Agap Partylist Rep. Nicanor Briones, Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Rep. Florida Robes, Romblon Rep. Leandro Jesus Madrona, Rep. Benjamin Agarao, Jr., An-waray Partylist Rep. Florencio Gabriel Bem Noel, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela,

Quezon City Rep. Reynante Arogancia, Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo, Aklan Rep. Teodorico Haresco, Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Yudela, Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio and Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co Pillar.

Also mentioned were former Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas of the Philippines Undersecretary Terrence Calatrava and DPWH officials including Regional Director Virgilio Eduarte of Region V, Director Ramon Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices, District Engineer Henry Alcantara of Bulacan 1st District, Undersecretary Robert Bernardo, District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st District, District Engineer Edgardo Pingol and District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO.

Pacifico claimed that the DPWH officials approached them to ask for their kickbacks after they won the bidding of the flood control projects.

"After we win the bidding, some officials from the DPWH approach us to ask and take their share from the cost of the project. The percentage they demanded was at least 10 percent up to 25 percent which was a condition so that the implementation of the contract would continue," he said.

The couple claimed that they "have been repeatedly used" by the above-mentioned government officials who threatened to halt and mess with their project if they refused to cooperate.

"We have been repeatedly used by those in power in this system. We couldn’t do anything because if we do not cooperate, they will mess with the project that was awarded to us through mutual termination or having a right of way problem, which may result in the halting of the project’s implementation," said Pacifico

Pacifico stressed that according to Rillo, all the request comes from the unprogrammed funds and insertions approved by Romualdez.

"Cong. Jojo Ang also saying that all his projects are also funded by Speaker (Romualdez) and (Cong.) Zaldy Co," he said.

"They are asking for a higher share, he (Ang) added not all the money is for him but for Speaker (Romualdez) and for Zaldy Co," he added.

In a statement, Romualdez denied the allegations by the Discaya couple, noting that anyone who invoked his name for money did so without his knowledge and must be held accountable.

“I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked... The claim in the Discaya couple’s affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping," he said.

“If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent. And if they do that for money they are the cheater who should take responsibility," he added.

Romualdez also drew a firm line against corruption saying "with all honesty: I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody." Robina Asido/DMS