Rep. Geraldine Roman: My honor will be vindicated, my conscience is clear. Contributed photo
ORANI, Bataan — The first transgender woman in Congress representing Bataan’s first district on Wednesday vehemently denied allegations that she was involved in allegedly anomalous transactions regarding projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
President Duterte in his report identified Rep. Geraldine Roman as one of the members of the House of Representatives allegedly receiving kickbacks from public works projects in their districts.
“I am shocked to hear that my name was mentioned by the President in a list of congressmen allegedly involved in anomalies in their projects. Public service has never been a money-making venture for me or my family whose good name is highly esteemed in Bataan,” she explained in her social media page.
“I am comforted by the fact that the President clarified that there is no verified information in this regard. I am open to any investigation to establish the truth on this matter and I am sure that my honor will be vindicated. My conscience is clear,” the congresswoman said.
Her press relations officer said Roman is already in Manila although sources said she is still in Pamplona, Spain.
The solon resides with her mother Hermina and brother/legal counsel Lawyer Tony Boy Roman at their ancestral home that doubles as congressional office in Orani town.
Hermina is former congresswoman also of Bataan’s first district. Geraldine’s late father Antonino Roman also served as assemblyman and later congressman of Bataan.
DPWH Bataan First District Engineer Erlindo Flores, Jr. said he could not say anything on the allegations of Geraldine receiving kickback from DPWH projects.
“Hindi kami magkasama sa isang bahay ng congresswoman kaya wala akong masasabi tungkol sa sinabi ng Pangulo na humihingi ang congresswoman ng kickback sa mga public works project,” the district engineer said.
Flores noted that the DPWH identifies projects for every district but approval and budgeting of the projects pass the two houses of Congress.
He said the President has not mentioned any name of contractors who made the payout for the alleged kickbacks. “Sa tanong na kung may alam ako sa 10percent kickback, wala akong masasabi,” Flores said.
He stressed that the President himself admitted that there was still no strong evidence linking the congressmen in anomalies and still subject to further investigation.
