Ombudsman confirms CA freeze order on Romualdez’s assets

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Saturday that the Court of Appeals has issued a freeze order on the assets of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“Former Speaker Martin Romualdez’s [assets] have already been frozen,” he said in the recent DZRH Executive Session.

The Ombudsman was asked during the radio interview whether the order came from the Court of Appeals, and he confirmed it.

“[It is] from the Court of Appeals, because that is where the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) files freeze orders,” Remulla said, adding that court orders are really obtained there.

The AMLC on Friday reported that it had secured a freeze order on the assets of a “prominent incumbent legislator” allegedly involved in the flood control corruption scandal.

Remulla agreed that the action initiated by the AMLC was represented by the Office of the Solicitor General.

In response to public inquiries regarding a congressman whose assets were ordered frozen, Remulla confirmed that it refers to former House Speaker Romualdez.

“Yes,” the Ombudsman said.

Meanwhile, the AMLC recently announced that the latest freeze order covers 25 bank accounts and 10 insurance policies registered under the unnamed legislator.

Remulla, however, revealed that around five to six cases are set to be filed at the Office of the Ombudsman within the next two weeks.

“[In] all the cases, we will involve the same action by the AMLC,” he said.

“Thus, in the Court [of Appeals], we will just manifest it there because we still have other cases [in the Office of the Ombudsman],” Remulla added.