Romualdez Faces Plunder Charges; Authorities Pursue Co-Accused Abroad

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the incumbent representative for Leyte's 1st District, faces plunder charges totaling P7.4 billion, with an arrest warrant served on Monday evening. Romualdez was confined at a private hospital in San Juan City after experiencing a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack, according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Remulla announced Tuesday that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will file a motion for custody to transfer Romualdez from the private hospital to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City. The motion is expected to be filed either later Tuesday or Wednesday. Co-accused with Romualdez in the plunder case are former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, who chaired the House appropriations panel; Romualdez's personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño; and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation. Co is also facing other charges related to flood control projects and was last reported to be staying in Paris, France, in May. Remulla stated that the Philippine government will follow up its request for an Interpol red notice against Zaldy Co in France. He added that he will be going to Lyon, France, to follow up on Co's red notice with Interpol, while Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla will also travel to Paris for diplomatic efforts. The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) reported that the individuals named as co-accused with Romualdez could not be found at their original addresses. Romualdez has previously denied the allegations against him and assured his full cooperation with the investigation. Source: GMA News Philippines