{
  "id": 7737320,
  "title": "Philippine lawmaker pleads not guilty to taking kickbacks in flood control projects",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/philippine-lawmaker-pleads-not-guilty-to-taking-kickbacks-in-flood",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T07:41:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/greenpage/2026/09/16/philippine-lawmaker-pleads-not-guilty-to-taking-kickbacks-in-flood-control-projects"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manila, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine lawmaker and former speaker of the House of Representatives denied Wednesday's allegations that he accepted millions in bribes from flood control projects, according to his lawyer. Rep. Martin Romualdez, a relative and former supporter of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is among several high-ranking officials accused of receiving substantial kickbacks. Nearly 10,000 flood control projects valued at over $9 billion, initiated since Marcos' 2022 election, have been under investigation. Many projects were deemed subpar, overpriced, or never completed. Flooding and landslides from monsoon and typhoon seasons cause significant damage and fatalities in the Southeast Asian nation. Romualdez was detained last week in a hospital and faces plunder charges at the anti-corruption Sandiganbayan court, along with three others. The court allowed his motion for a video arraignment from the jail. Romualdez's lawyer Ade Fajardo stated that his client maintains his innocence. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who filed the charges, announced that more cases would be brought against Romualdez and others, including plunder and money laundering. He mentioned that the case involved $7.4 billion stolen, which the perpetrators attempted to conceal by purchasing multiple homes and donating $1 million to Harvard University. Another prominent official indicted by the anti-graft court is former Rep. Zaldy Co, who headed the House appropriations committee and is now a fugitive in Europe. Several incumbent senators, former senators, public works officials, and wealthy construction executives have also been detained and are on trial for corruption. Marcos described the alleged level of corruption as \"horrible\" and established an independent commission, which was later disbanded, to investigate. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee had previously conducted hearings on the flood control controversy.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Former Philippine lawmaker Martin Romualdez denies accepting millions in kickbacks",
    "Nearly 10,000 flood control projects worth over $9 billion under investigation",
    "Romualdez faces plunder charges at Sandiganbayan court, maintains innocence"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}