Romualdez Resigns as Speaker Amid Flood Control Probe, Dy Elected Successor

House Speaker Martin Romualdez stepped down from his post on September 17, 2025, following mounting pressure over alleged anomalies in flood control projects. His resignation came as the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) intensified its probe into corruption claims linked to multimillion-peso contracts.

Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said he resigned “with a full heart and a clear conscience” to protect the House of Representatives’ integrity and allow the investigation to proceed without political interference. He maintained that he had no direct dealings with contractors but admitted that his continued stay could cast doubts on the inquiry.

The controversy stemmed from claims by contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who alleged that lawmakers and public works officials sought “commissions” from flood control projects. While the couple clarified they had no direct transactions with Romualdez, his name was repeatedly invoked in the discussions, fueling calls for his resignation.

Immediately after his announcement, Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III was elected unopposed as the new Speaker, garnering 253 votes from his colleagues. Dy, a veteran lawmaker, pledged cooperation with the ICI and vowed not to shield anyone found guilty of corruption.

The Marcos administration expressed support for Dy’s leadership, stressing the importance of legislative-executive cooperation on key reforms and investigations. Romualdez, for his part, assured he would continue to support the probe and urged lawmakers to let evidence guide the process.

The shake-up in House leadership highlights growing public demand for transparency and accountability in government projects. Speaker Dy now faces the challenge of restoring trust in Congress while ensuring that oversight of infrastructure spending remains credible and free from corruption.