Sandiganbayan Orders Transfer of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to QC Jail

The Sandiganbayan on Monday ordered Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to be transferred to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory. According to the anti-graft court, Romualdez cannot be moved, transferred, or released without a court order. This came after a Philippine General Hospital (PGH) team found that he was clinically stable and could now be discharged. The PGH said that though Romualdez’ identified conditions need monitoring and treatment, confinement is not necessary, provided that medical care is assured. Romualdez was transferred to the PGH in Manila from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Saturday morning. Authorities served the arrest warrant against him at Cardinal Santos Medical Center over plunder charges in connection with flood control projects. Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan a P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez, former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, who is the personal assistant of Romualdez, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation. “By repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least 15 occasions, commissions, shares, percentages. kickbacks, "commitments." and/or other pecuniary benefits aggregating at least P7.4 billion by reason or on account of the respective public offices and positions of Romualdez and Co, including monies derived from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, which monies were delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other persons acting for and in his behalf,” the criminal information read. In a statement, Romualdez said he respects the Sandiganbayan’s decision. “I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed,” he said. “I maintain my innocence. Haharapin ko ang kaso. Sasagutin ko ang mga paratang,” he added. He also extended his gratitude to the doctors. Information Source: GMA News Philippines