TACLOBAN CITY —Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre on Sunday, Jan.18, urged an end to what he described as baseless allegations, welcoming contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya’s public denial of claims linking former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to an alleged high-end property purchase in Makati City.
Acidre said Discaya’s categorical denial highlights the importance of grounding public discourse on facts and verified evidence, not speculation. “This underscores the need for evidence-based discussion anchored on documents and sworn testimony, rather than conjecture,” he said.
The lawmaker issued the statement after Discaya refuted allegations that he acted as a “front” for Romualdez, representing Leyte’s first congressional district, saying he had only seen the former Speaker once at a public event and had never spoken to him. Discaya also lamented that his name was being used to drag Romualdez into the controversy.
While stressing that legitimate inquiries should proceed where warranted, Acidre cautioned against repeating unproven claims. “Investigations serve the public best when they rely on verified records. Repeating allegations without proof only muddies the waters,” he said.
Earlier, Romualdez, through his lawyer and spokesman Atty. Ade Fajardo, denied any knowledge or involvement in the alleged property transaction, branding the claims as baseless.
Discaya, who remains detained at the Senate over his alleged links to the flood control controversy, said he has nothing to hide and is even willing to have the Makati property included in the list of assets under review by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, despite maintaining that the accusation is untrue.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
