Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to lift his travel ban over his alleged involvement in the flood control scandal.
In a resolution promulgated June 1, the anti-graft court’s seventh division denied the motion to lift the precautionary hold departure order for lack of merit, citing “several circumstances that reveal the intent of Rep. Romualdez to evade arrest and prosecution of crime against him.”
READ: Anti-graft court bars Romualdez from leaving PH
Based on the court resolution, Romualdez said he had a follow-up medical consultation in Singapore that could no longer be deferred for which he had sought travel authority.
The graft court said that the lawmaker “failed to establish the necessity of his proposed travel abroad” as he had not submitted any supporting medical records or a confirmed schedule for the follow-up consultation.
It said Romualdez had not presented evidence proving the urgency of his illness to warrant a trip abroad.
“The risk of flight cannot be disregarded. Rep. Romualdez has been identified as the alleged mastermind behind the flood control scam,” the court wrote.
“Given the gravity of the allegations and the severe penalties that may result, including imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets, Rep. Romualdez clearly possesses sufficient motive and opportunity to evade the jurisdiction of the authorities should he be allowed to leave the country.”
Meanwhile, the Senate blue ribbon committee invited Romualdez to attend the ninth flood control hearing on June 4.
