Metro Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court dismissed on Wednesday, Nov. 4, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s petition that challenged the ombudsman’s preliminary investigation against him, ruling that the case has become moot.
The court said there was no longer a need to resolve the petition because the lawmaker is now facing a plunder trial at the Sandiganbayan, where he pleaded not guilty.
The ₱7.44-billion plunder case stems from allegations that Romualdez and his co-accused received kickbacks from contractors in flood control and other infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2025.
Romualdez questioned the preliminary investigation, including its applications for a preliminary hold departure order and freeze order against him, as well as the alleged use of inadmissible evidence.
He also sought a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction to stop the ombudsman investigation.
The SC added that it found no exceptional circumstances that would warrant resolving the petition despite it having become moot.
Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said they have yet to receive a copy of the ruling.
“If true, we will explore remedies as soon as we get to study the ruling,” Fajardo said.
Romualdez has been detained at the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory in Payatas since September.
Romualdez custody
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered two Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials to personally testify on the custody status of Romualdez amid allegations that he had been allowed to leave and return to his detention cell.
The court also directed the BJMP to immediately preserve and safeguard all relevant security camera recording, jail logs, and electronic and digital records in its files.
The order follows a social media post by retired columnist Ramon Tulfo alleging that Romualdez has been allowed to leave the jail during supposed power outages to evade cameras.
During a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 4, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro read the BJMP statement denying the allegations, saying an initial review found no recorded power outage or camera interruption at the Quezon City Jail male dormitory over the past month.
Castro said BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera reported that the last movement of Romualdez captured on camera was when he left the cell for his bail hearing on Oct. 12.
According to the statement read by Castro, Jail Director Efren Nemeño ordered an immediate investigation on Nov. 3 following the allegations.
