Source: New York Times
“A former speaker of the house in the Philippines, a relative of the country’s president, was arrested on Monday night over accusations that he pocketed $118 million in kickbacks from flood control and other infrastructure projects. A warrant for Martin Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was served inside a hospital room ain San Juan City. Mr. Romualdez resigned as speaker last year but still represents the province of Leyte in congress. Mr. Romualdez has repeatedly denied involvement in the scandal, which involved the diversion of public funds intended to build infrastructure for a $9.8 billion flood control program. … The arrest of Mr. Romualdez came more than a month after Mr. Marcos said in his state of the nation address that multiple cases would be filed against his cousin.” (09/07/26)