Romualdez to testify in plunder case, lawyer says

MANILA, Philippines — Former Speaker Martin Romualdez will testify in the plunder case filed against him before the Sandiganbayan, his lawyer Ade Fajardo said on Friday. "Of course, the most important [witness] is the accused himself, Congressman Romualdez," Fajardo said. He added that Romualdez "wants to defend himself in court and he will most likely testify." The case is pending before the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court of the Philippines. Plunder is a serious offense in the Philippines, defined as the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth by a public officer through a combination or series of overt or covert acts or transactions, involving the acquisition of funds, or assets through any of the means mentioned in paragraph (d) of Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7080, as amended, or through any other unlawful means, to the damage and prejudice of the Republic of the Philippines.