Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Third Division has issued an arrest warrant against Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez for his non-bailable plunder charge on Monday, Sept. 7 over a month since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself mentioned that his cousin may face cases in the flood control scandal.
The anti-graft court issued the warrant on the day the Office of the Ombudsman filed the charges.
Also ordered arrested was former House appropriations chairman and fugitive Zaldy Co, who is a co-accused in the case, as well as two private people, namely, Joselyn Serenio and Felicito Guevarra, which the ombudsman described as a staff of Romualdez and a money changer, respectively.
“The court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged,” the Sandiganbayan said in a press briefer.
The ombudsman stated that Romualdez amassed ₱7.4 billion from commissions and bribes supposedly in exchange for flood control project contracts from 2022 to 2025.
The office previously tagged Romualdez as “a central figure in a scheme built on the diversion of public funds meant for flood control projects.”
Romualdez is so far the most influential person among those facing charges as a result of the president ordering a probe on high-level corruption in flood control projects, and Congress taking up the cudgels as well even if a number of those mentioned in investigations are sitting lawmakers.
In August, the ombudsman said it has at least 28 witnesses on the Romualdez case, despite the former speaker pointing out retractions of five people who identified the lawmaker as recipient of project kickbacks.
Romualdez to face allegations
In a statement, Romualdez lawyer Ade Fajardo said his client will face allegations in court.
He said Romualdez is not asking for special treatment but seeks due process and a fair hearing.
“We recognize the public interest surrounding this case. But ultimately, criminal liability must be determined by the evidence presented in court, under the rules and safeguards of our justice system,” Fajardo said.
On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Leyte lawmaker appealed for fairness to the graft-buster in light of the dropping of charges against former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan in a bid to turn him into a state witness.
“We are requesting the ombudsman to inform us if there is any allegation from Secretary Bonoan against former Speaker Romualdez and to give us ample time to comment on it,” Fajardo said.
