Romualdez respects transfer to QC jail, maintains innocence amid plunder raps

Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday said he respected the Sandiganbayan’s order to transfer him to the Quezon City Jail, but maintained that he is innocent. The lawmaker faces plunder charges in connection with flood control projects. "I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed," Romualdez said in a statement. "I maintain my innocence. Haharapin ko ang kaso. Sasagutin ko ang mga paratang," he added. Romualdez was transferred to the Philippine General Hospital (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. 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. Romualdez said he will continue to follow the advice of his doctors and expressed that he will face the coming days with dignity, faith in God, and confidence in the truth during this difficult time for him and his family. Source: GMA News Philippines