Romualdez's co-accused not at original addresses; PNP-CIDG NCR looking for them

The individuals named as co-accused of former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez in a plunder case could not be found at their original addresses, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) revealed on Tuesday. This was disclosed by PNP-CIDG National Capital Region chief Colonel John Guiagui, according to GMA News reporter Maki Pulido. Romualdez's co-accused in the plunder charge filed Monday by the Office of the Ombudsman with the Sandiganbayan are former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list; Romualdez's personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño; and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation. Co, who is also facing other charges in connection with the flood control mess, was last reported to be staying in Paris, France, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said last May. The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday morning filed the P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez and three others over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme on flood control projects. “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 Sereño and other persons acting for and in his behalf,” the criminal information read. Likewise, Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that the P7.4 billion allowed Romualdez to acquire several assets. Romualdez meanwhile was arrested Monday and has undergone the booking procedure at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said on Monday night. The PNP-CIDG on Tuesday returned the arrest warrant issued for Romualdez to the Sandiganbayan. Romualdez is now under their custody, the PNP-CIDG said. —with a report from Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA News