MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos has left his father’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to join Lakas-CMD, whose president, former Speaker Martin Romualdez, faces a ₱7.44-billion plunder case over alleged kickbacks from government projects.
Marcos took his oath on October 12 at the House of Representatives, according to sources quoted by GMA News. Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo reportedly administered the oath.
The transfer places the Ilocos Norte congressman in the party headed by his uncle, Romualdez. His father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., remains PFP chairman. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III also belongs to PFP.
Sandro himself has faced allegations involving cash deliveries. News5 reported on June 17 that men claiming to have acted as bagmen alleged they delivered cash-filled suitcases to the President’s residence and that Sandro received them. ABS-CBN’s report that day described the allegations against Sandro as involving purported flood-control kickbacks from former Rep. Zaldy Co’s alleged ex-employees.
Marcos rejected the accusations. “Let’s call a spade a spade — it’s all BS,” News5 quoted him as saying. He questioned the accusers’ credibility and described their allegations as attempts to discredit the government.
Separately, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case against Romualdez and three others before the Sandiganbayan on September 7.
Prosecutors allege that Romualdez and Co received at least ₱7.44 billion in commissions, kickbacks and other financial benefits on at least 15 occasions. The alleged payments came from contractors and others with interests in projects funded under the 2022–2025 national budgets, including flood-control and infrastructure projects.
The charge alleges that some payments were delivered to properties owned, occupied by or associated with Romualdez and received by people acting on his behalf. Also charged were Joselyn Tragua Serenio and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corp. president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. Sandro is not among the four accused in that case.
Romualdez pleaded not guilty on September 16. His lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said the former Speaker maintains his innocence.
As of GMA News’ October 14 report, Lakas-CMD had issued no official statement on Marcos’ transfer. The network was also seeking comment from Marcos and PFP.