Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally asked the anti-graft court to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, which would bar the former speaker from leaving the country in light of the flood control scam probe.
“While the cases are pending before the Office of the Ombudsman, the teams find it necessary to seek this remedy so as not to jeopardize the cases. They do not want the respondent to abscond and evade office processes,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Tuesday, April 21.
The Sandiganbayan can issue a PHDO to “prevent any attempt by a person suspected of a crime to depart from the Philippines,” which may be filed by the ombudsman upon a “preliminary determination of probable cause based on the complaints and attachments.”
The ombudsman has yet to file a formal case against Romualdez. Ombudsman Boying Remulla earlier said his office is preparing a case against the former speaker and former Senate President Chiz Escudero.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure asked the ombudsman to further investigate Romualdez and determine whether he is liable for irregularities hounding flood control projects.
Travel authority
In a document dated April 20, House Speaker Bojie Dy cleared Romualdez to visit Singapore for a medical treatment from April 20 to May 4.
Romualdez said he needed to go abroad for his long overdue follow-up on his angioplasty surgery.
He also told Dy that he informed the Department of Justice about his intention to travel overseas, in view of the immigration lookout bulletin order against him.
In October 2025, the agency placed Romualdez under a lookout order, in relation to the investigations against several lawmakers and government officials in the flood control scam.
“I give my unequivocal assurance that I will return to the Philippines immediately upon completion of my medical engagement and remain accessible for any urgent legislative matters during this period,” Romualdez wrote.
His office said on Tuesday, April 21, that the former speaker is still in the country.
In a press briefing, Ombudsman Boying Remulla said he denied the request for Romualdez to go abroad.
The lawmaker’s counsel rejected this pronouncement, saying there is no order that bars Romualdez from leaving the country.
“What exists, if any, is an immigration lookout bulletin order, which does not prohibit travel but simply requires prior coordination with authorities. In fact, Rep. Romualdez sought travel authority in all good faith—and this authority has been granted,” Ade Fajado, lawyer for the former speaker, said in a statement.
