Martin Romualdez arrested over P7.44-B plunder case but remains in hospital
MANILA, Philippines – Leyte 1st District Representative and former House speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested Monday, September 7, over his P7.44-billion plunder case, but would remain in hospital confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
After the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against Romualdez and his co-accused — former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, Joselyn Serenio, and Felicito Guevarra — the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division issued a warrant of arrest and hold departure orders against them past 5 pm Monday.
Romualdez allegedly received P7.44 billion in kickbacks from Co, who is at large.
On Monday night, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez served the warrant against Romualdez, who has been confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center since 4 pm.
Remulla told Rappler they had already served the warrant and arrested Romualdez. He said the former speaker is suffering from a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and anxiety attacks.
The DILG chief added that they will check on Romualdez every day until he’s ready to be transferred to the Sandiganbayan for the return of his warrant.
“We assure you, he cannot hide behind his wealth…. Dadalhin namin siya sa Payatas sa tamang panahon…. Patas ang laban dito (We will bring him to Payatas at the proper moment. This is a fair fight),” said Remulla.
Sandiganbayan 3rd Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma earlier told reporters that at around 6 pm on Monday, Romualdez filed a manifestation for hospital confinement and an urgent motion for continued hospital confinement under custody.
Pulma also clarified that the 3rd Division ordered the Sandiganbayan sheriff to implement the warrant.
“If there are concerns regarding the accused’s medical condition, it is only the Court that can determine whether such condition affects the implementation of the warrant,” Pulma said.
“If there are medical concerns, these should be properly documented and brought to the attention of the Court. Until the Court orders otherwise, the warrant remains in force and must be implemented,” he added.
The plunder case against Romualdez makes him one of the highest officials to be charged over the multi-billion flood control anomaly.
“Based on our investigation, Romualdez allegedly received kickbacks around 15 times from Co’s staff, from September 2022 to 2025. That’s for the P2-billion monthly quota or collections Romualdez imposed on Co,” the Ombudsman said in Filipino.
“Serenio received the cash delivery in the lawmaker’s different houses and properties. Romualdez used nearly P5 billion from these kickbacks to establish shell or dummy companies like Golden Pheasant Holdings Corporation, Braavos Holdings Opc, and Valiant Consolidated Resources, Inc.,” it added.
According to the Ombudsman, their case against Romualdez and co-accused stands on the evidence and testimonies from several witnesses, including former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara, among others.
“The issuance of a warrant of arrest signifies only that, after personally evaluating the records, the Court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged. Probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest exists when the facts and circumstances alleged by the prosecution would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that an offense has been committed by the person sought to be arrested,” said the 3rd Division.
Plunder is non-bailable. Romualdez, who is now under police custody, is likely to be detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas — the designated detention center for flood control-related cases. – Rappler.com
