Romualdez Arrest Warrant Served for P7.4 Billion Plunder Case

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has served an arrest warrant against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez for a plunder case involving P7.4 billion. Romualdez was apprehended on Tuesday at a hospital where he was undergoing treatment. Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla confirmed that Romualdez was taken into police custody at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he was admitted on Monday afternoon following "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack." The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed the plunder charge against Romualdez, former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, Romualdez's personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. According to the criminal information, Romualdez and Co allegedly received commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, and/or other pecuniary benefits aggregating at least P7.4 billion on at least 15 occasions by reason of their public offices. These benefits were allegedly 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. The monies were reportedly delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other persons acting on his behalf. Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's lawyer, stated that the former House speaker will face all allegations against him. "We respect the courts and the legal process. Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will face the allegations against him in accordance with law," Fajardo said in a statement. He added, "We recognize the public interest surrounding this case. But ultimately, criminal liability must be determined by the evidence presented in court, under the rules and safeguards of our justice system." The case highlights ongoing concerns about political corruption and the misuse of public funds in the Philippines. Plunder, defined as the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth through the abuse of public office, is a non-bailable offense punishable by reclusion perpetua (life imprisonment). Source: GMA News Philippines