Photo courtesy of PNP
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez remained under police custody at Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Tuesday as authorities formally completed the return of the warrant issued in his Php 7.44-billion plunder case.
Instead of bringing Romualdez to the Sandiganbayan, the Philippine National Police submitted the served warrant and his medical evaluation to the anti-graft court’s Third Division. Police had arrested and booked the Leyte lawmaker at the San Juan hospital a day earlier.
Romualdez has asked the court to allow him to remain at Cardinal Santos until doctors clear him for transfer to a detention facility. His lawyers said the request was based on medical needs requiring continued inpatient care.
The hospital arrangement came after the Sandiganbayan found probable cause and ordered the arrest of Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, Joselyn Tragua Serenio and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. Judicial records showed that no bail was recommended, while the court also issued hold departure orders against the four accused.
The case stemmed from allegations that Romualdez and his co-accused obtained at least Php 7.44 billion in commissions, shares, kickbacks and other financial benefits connected with government-funded projects.
Prosecutors alleged that the benefits were received on at least 15 occasions from contractors and other parties with interests in flood control, infrastructure and other projects funded under national budgets from 2022 to 2025.
Romualdez has denied wrongdoing and previously maintained that Congress approves the national budget but does not release funds or implement infrastructure projects. His counsel Ade Fajardo said the former speaker would answer the allegations through the judicial process.
The Sandiganbayan stressed that its finding of probable cause was solely the basis for issuing the arrest warrant and did not amount to a determination of guilt. Romualdez and the other accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.