Romualdez arrested in San Juan hospital

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued warrants of arrest against Leyte 1st District Rep. and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Congressman Zaldy Co, and two other respondents in connection with the P7.44-billion plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman earlier in the day.

Hours later, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla personally served the warrant on Romualdez at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was confined after suffering a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack.

“Andito po siya ngayon, naka-confine. According to the doctors, he is suffering from a cardiovascular event, unstable ang kanyang blood pressure, and having an anxiety attack. However, we made it clear, like in Sec. Bonoan’s case na apat na araw siyang nandoon, we will check every day until he is well enough to be presented to court,” Remulla said.

“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door, merong kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby. He is now considered, after we read him his rights, a person deprived of liberty (PDL),” he added.

Remulla said Romualdez was rushed to the hospital at around 4 p.m. after learning that the Sandiganbayan had issued an arrest warrant against him.

Also ordered to be arrested were Romualdez staff member Jocelyn Sereño and money changer Felicito Guevarra. Sereño allegedly received cash through properties linked to Romualdez, while Guevarra allegedly facilitated currency exchanges.

Co remains at large and is reportedly in France seeking political asylum.

Atty. Dennis Pulma, clerk of court of the Sandiganbayan Third Division, told reporters that the court received an urgent motion for hospital confinement and another for continued hospital confinement from Romualdez’s camp Monday evening.

The court also issued hold departure orders against all four respondents, barring them from leaving the country.

Remulla said Romualdez would be brought to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas once doctors determine that he is fit for detention.

“Hindi ito permanent situation. Ang kuwarto niya sa Payatas ay naghihintay na. Kung sabihin man ng korte na diyan siya, naghihintay na yung kuwarto niya sa Payatas. Patas ang laban dito,” Remulla said.

Court finds probable cause

In a statement, the anti-graft court said the warrants signified that it had “found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged” based on the facts and circumstances alleged by prosecutors.

The court stressed that the issuance of a warrant does not “constitute a determination of guilt,” noting that all accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty after a full trial.

“The Court reiterates that the proceedings are governed solely by the Constitution, the applicable laws, the Rules of Court, and the evidence properly presented before it,” the statement read.

The P7.44-billion information forms part of a broader P56-billion ill-gotten wealth complaint earlier filed for preliminary investigation, covering alleged kickbacks from 2022 to 2025.

Ombudsman: Case passed legal tests

The warrants were issued after the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against Romualdez and the three others over their alleged involvement in a multibillion-peso kickback scheme tied to infrastructure projects.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the case took time to build and had to pass “several legal tests” before it was filed.

“It is something that had to be thoroughly done; it had to pass several legal tests before we could file the case. In the end, we try to avoid weaponizing this office,” Remulla said.

The Ombudsman said the case against Romualdez, who was House Speaker when the alleged anomalies were committed, was filed in the public interest and in keeping with the agency’s mandate to protect the public from corruption.

Institutional influence

Investigators alleged that Romualdez exercised “institutional influence” in Congress, including in the selection of Co as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and in legislative and budget processes.

The Ombudsman said the relationship allegedly allowed Romualdez and Co to exercise “uninterrupted control and meaningful participation over the national budget” from 2022 to 2025.

The agency alleged that Romualdez accumulated P7.44 billion through at least 15 instances of receiving, directly or indirectly, commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, “commitments” and other financial benefits.

The transactions allegedly included cash deliveries by Co’s staff to Romualdez, with a supposed P2-billion quota, as well as the funneling of about P5 billion through alleged shell or dummy companies, including Golden Pheasant Holdings Corp., Braavos Holdings OPC and Valiant Consolidated Resources Inc.

Remulla also said Romualdez donated millions of dollars to Harvard University, although he did not disclose the exact amount.

The complaint cited testimonies from former Department of Public Works and Highways officials Roberto Bernardo and Henry Alcantara, as well as affidavits from individuals who identified themselves as Co’s bodyguards.

Palace respects action

Malacañang said it respected the Ombudsman’s decision to file the plunder case against Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“For the President, those who should be held accountable should be held accountable — whoever they may be, whether a relative, friend, ally, or political foe. Whatever the evidence says, it should be presented,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

Castro said those facing charges must defend themselves with evidence.

She said she had not asked the President about his personal feelings on the case but acknowledged that it was “not a good feeling” to see a relative face criminal charges.

“But when the evidence is speaking loudly, it needs to be seen by the public,” she said.