October 13, 2025 – Manila
Antipolo City Representative and Deputy Speaker Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno has expressed concern over what he perceives as a potential smear campaign against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, just ahead of Romualdez’s scheduled appearance before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on October 14, 2025.
Puno noted that the timing of allegations regarding supposed irregularities in farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Leyte is concerning. “It feels like a demolition job or a coordinated attack. The timing is unfortunate,” he said in an interview.
Recent reports have raised questions about overpricing and alleged misuse of funds in certain FMR projects in Leyte. Puno, however, emphasized that these projects are relatively small and had undergone proper review by both the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
He also underscored that farm-to-market roads are designed to benefit all farmers, not only rice producers, and that every community has the right to access these projects.
Puno suggested that some parties might be shifting blame to avoid accountability. He also criticized media reporting practices, saying that failing to present the perspective of the accused can quickly generate negative impressions.
“This situation is unfair, not only to Romualdez but also to other officials who may be inadvertently implicated,” Puno added.