Sandiganbayan Issues Precautionary Hold Departure Order Against Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez
The Sandiganbayan's Seventh Division has formally issued a precautionary hold departure order targeting former House Speaker and current Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez. This significant legal directive, dated April 22, 2026, was granted following a formal request from the Office of the Ombudsman, which is actively investigating Romualdez's alleged involvement in questionable flood control infrastructure projects.
Court Cites Flight Risk Concerns
In its official order, the anti-graft court explicitly stated that "there is probable cause to believe that respondent (Romualdez) will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution of the crime/s being charged against him." This legal assessment forms the foundation for the restrictive travel order now in effect against the prominent lawmaker.
Romualdez's Legal Team Responds
Ade Fajardo, serving as both spokesperson and legal counsel for Representative Romualdez, has announced their intention to "exhaust all legal remedies" against the issuance of this precautionary hold departure order. Fajardo emphasized that Romualdez remains fully committed to confronting the allegations directly and transparently.
"Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible," Fajardo asserted categorically. He further clarified that Romualdez had properly coordinated with the Department of Justice well in advance to secure necessary travel authorization for a scheduled four-day medical examination in Singapore.
Fajardo characterized this action as "fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning—one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes." He expressed frustration that "this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee."
Ombudsman's Investigation Details
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla revealed that Romualdez was actually scheduled to depart the country on April 21, but authorities successfully prevented his exit. The Ombudsman's office is conducting an intensive investigation into allegations that Romualdez received substantial kickbacks—reportedly worth multiple billions of pesos—from corrupt flood control project contracts.
Remulla indicated that investigators are currently awaiting the Anti-Money Laundering Council's issuance of a formal freeze order targeting Romualdez's financial assets. The Ombudsman further disclosed that formal plunder charges could potentially be filed against the former House Speaker as early as May 2026.
Romualdez's Firm Denial
Representative Romualdez has issued a vehement denial of any involvement in the alleged corruption scheme surrounding flood mitigation projects. His legal team maintains that he will continue to participate fully in all legal proceedings while challenging what they characterize as unjustified restrictions on his movements.
The case continues to develop as both the judicial system and anti-corruption agencies pursue their investigations into one of the most significant alleged graft cases involving infrastructure projects in recent Philippine political history.
