Imee Marcos: Romualdez behind P20M fund per district for people’s initiative

Imee Marcos: Romualdez behind P20M fund per district for people’s initiative

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos on Friday said it was “definitely” Speaker Martin Romualdez behind the alleged P20-million allocation per congressional district pushing for the so-called “people’s initiative” to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“Definitely opisina niya ang nag-alok ng P20-million kada distrito, definitely nanggaling sa kanila ‘yung timeline na July 9 tapos na ang lahat at ibibigay na ng buong buo itong economic provisions etc., definitely derived from his office with very clear numbers identifying the staff number and attorneys involved,” Marcos said in a virtual press conference when asked if her cousin Romualdez was behind the alleged bribery for people’s initiative.

(Definitely, his office extended the offer of P20 million per district. The timeline of July 9 when everything should be completed and the economic provisions are ready to be provided in full — this definitely originated from them, including very specific details such as staff numbers and the involved attorneys, all undoubtedly traced back to his office.)

READ: Villanueva says he has proof House behind ‘fake people’s initiative’

But Romualdez, in a separate press conference, denied such claims.

“That is baseless; siguro kausapin mo na lang siya, nagma-marites siguro, nakikinig sa mga Marites,” said Romualdez.

(It’s probably unfounded; maybe you should just talk to them; they might be engaging in gossip or listening to gossip.)

Romualdez even dared Marcos to prove it to “whatever court.”

“I’d like her to prove it, and you know, she has the proper means and ways, and she can go to whatever court [and] Comelec (Commission on Elections),” he said.

Romualdez also said his lines remain open to Imee Marcos for any clarifications.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to her recently, so I’m not aware where this is all coming from … I respect her as my cousin, as

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