Romualdez, 3 others face plunder raps; BI enforces hold order

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has implemented a Sandiganbayan hold departure order (HDO) against former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and three co-accused in a P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks from government projects. The case involves alleged commissions from projects funded under the 2022 to 2025 national budgets. The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the hold order and arrest warrants against the four on September 7, after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder charges. The Ombudsman alleged that the accused received at least P7.44 billion in commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, and other financial benefits related to government projects. Mr. Romualdez was arrested hours after the warrant was issued while he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. He was later transferred to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas on Monday, after doctors at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) deemed him clinically stable and no longer requiring hospital confinement. He pleaded not guilty to the plunder charge on Wednesday during an arraignment conducted via videoconferencing. His lawyers have stated they will seek bail while the case is pending. Plunder is generally non-bailable when evidence of guilt is strong. The court will assess the strength of the prosecution's evidence during bail proceedings. The BI confirmed that fugitive former Party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” S. Co and Joselyn T. Serenio had already left the country before the HDO was issued. Citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws, the agency declined to disclose their specific travel details or personal information. The BI reiterated its commitment to strictly enforce the HDO and undertake appropriate immigration measures within its mandate. Mr. Romualdez is currently held in the infirmary ward of the Quezon City Jail in Payatas with three other inmates and remains under medical supervision, according to Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla. Upon his arrival at the jail on Monday night, he underwent standard booking procedures, including mugshot-taking, fingerprinting, interviews, and basic orientation. His placement in the infirmary was based on evaluations by his doctors and independent BJMP doctors, as well as a court order. PGH doctors found him fit to remain in jail but requiring continued medical supervision. He has been diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes, and doctors found evidence of previous cerebrovascular incidents requiring monitoring. He has been advised to undergo a weekly electrocardiogram and use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which he has declined to use. A hospital bed has also been provided for emergencies. BJMP doctors will conduct routine monitoring and may consult Mr. Romualdez’s personal doctors or PGH physicians if medical concerns arise. His personal doctors may visit him on weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., excluding Mondays. He does not have a permanent personal nurse or doctor staying with him. The infirmary ward is approximately 50 square meters and is equipped with hospital beds, a common bathroom, and large exhaust fans, but lacks air-conditioning. Doctors have also recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise, including walking and sunlight exposure, which he is permitted to do.