Zubiri vows sanction vs source of misleading travel expenses of Speaker

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said on Sunday that disciplinary action would be initiated if it is confirmed that the person who leaked misleading information about the House leader’s travel expenses is proven to be a Senate employee.

The claim was made by Sonshine Media Network International host Jeffrey Celiz, who alleged that House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez spent P1.8 billion in travel funds in a span of one year.

Celiz cited his source as an employee from the Senate.

However, Celiz has already issued an apology for any harm that his statements have caused.

READ: SMNI host apologizes for wrong claims on Speaker’s travel expenses

Zubiri, in a statement, said that he has “no knowledge whatsoever of anyone from the Senate leaking information to any reporter on any House matter.”

READ: Romualdez, House spent P39M on trips in 2023, not P1.8B – Sec Gen Velasco

“Until the concerned resource speaker names a Senate employee, there is no reason to believe that these allegations are anything more than intrigues being sown to create controversy and fake news,” he added.

READ: House to probe SMNI on claim Romualdez spent P1.8B on trips in 1 year

Zubiri added that the Senate respects inter parliamentary courtesy and would not want to have a rift with the lower house.

READ: House SecGen: Reports of Romualdez’s P1.8 billion travel fund are false

“I would suggest that the House continue their investigation until they get to the bottom of this accusation and press for the concerned person to reveal the name of their alleged source from the Senate. Otherwise, the House can cite them in contempt,” he said.