Manila, Sept. 8 -- Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and several lawmakers of the House of Representatives denied allegations raised by contractors Pacifico Discaya and Cezarah Discaya at a Senate hearing on Monday.

"I cannot and will not allow lies and name-dropping to pass unchecked. The claim in the Discaya couple's affidavit that my name was used for commissions is false, malicious and nothing more than name-dropping," Romualdez said in a statement.

He stressed that Congress only approves the budget and plays no role in releasing funds or implementing projects, including those carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The Speaker warned that anyone who invoked his name for money did so without his knowledg...