House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy Co, at Zamboanga Rep.
MindanaoToday.com | Romualdez, Lawmakers Face Charges Over Alleged 2025 Budget Falsification
A group backed by allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte is set to file criminal charges against House Speaker Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers over alleged unauthorized changes in the 2025 national budget.
Citizens Crime Watch, along with PDP-Laban senatorial aspirant Jimmy Bondoc and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, will submit the complaint on Monday, Feb. 10, before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Also named in the case are former House Appropriations Committee chair Zaldy Co, Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, and other unnamed individuals.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, representing the complainants, claimed that a ₱214-billion allocation was inserted into the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) without following proper legislative procedures.
“Falsifying legislative documents is a crime under the law, and it is also an offense against the Filipino people,” Topacio said during a forum. He will be joined by lawyer Raul Lambino, also a PDP-Laban senatorial candidate.
Citizens Crime Watch president Diego Magpantay insisted that the legal action is not politically motivated, stating that their organization has previously pursued cases against officials from various political camps.
The charges come just days after the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
“The Constitution lays out a clear process for passing the national budget, and that process was violated. Not only that, but the final version of the budget does not match what was approved in the bicameral committee,” Bondoc said.
The complainants emphasized that their case is about upholding accountability, not advancing a political agenda.
“This is a matter of law and due process. We are simply ensuring that public funds are handled properly,” Bondoc added.
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