MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was arrested Monday at a San Juan City hospital after the Office of the Ombudsman charged him with plunder over allegations that he received at least P7.44 billion in kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities arrested Romualdez at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he remains confined after doctors found that he suffered a cardiovascular event.
“According to the doctors, he suffered from a cardiovascular event. His blood pressure was unstable, and he was having an anxiety attack,” Remulla told reporters.
Romualdez’s lawyers asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to allow him to remain at the hospital following his arrest. They cited his documented cardiac history, diabetes, primary hypothyroidism and other medical conditions.
The Sandiganbayan issued the arrest warrant after finding probable cause to believe that Romualdez and his coaccused committed the offense charged. The court also issued a hold departure order.
The Ombudsman charged Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, former Speaker’s staff member Jocelyn Sereño and money changer company president Felicito Guevarra in connection with the alleged kickbacks.
The charge sheet accused Romualdez and Co of receiving commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks and other financial benefits on at least 15 occasions. Prosecutors said the alleged payments came from contractors and other individuals or entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects funded under the 2022 to 2025 national budgets.
The case information alleged that the accused traced and laundered the P7.44 billion through shell or dummy corporations and other conduits.
Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson Ade Fajardo said his client respects the courts and will face the allegations.
“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.
Fajardo added that Romualdez seeks due process and a fair hearing.
Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had not issued a formal reaction to the arrest. Palace press officer Claire Castro said the administration respects the Ombudsman’s authority to file cases.
“Whatever the evidence shows should simply be presented before the court,” Castro said.
Marcos, who is Romualdez’s first cousin, previously said in his July 27 State of the Nation Address that his administration would pursue corruption cases regardless of family ties.
“Painful as it may be for us, we have to do what is right,” Marcos said.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said prosecutors expect to file additional cases involving Romualdez, including other plunder and money-laundering cases.
Remulla also said prosecutors have not yet used evidence provided by former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, whom authorities discharged from his own plunder and graft cases after he became a state witness.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied involvement in corruption and said he did not control every stage of the congressional budget process while serving as House Speaker.
He stepped down as Speaker in September last year after contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya accused him and other lawmakers of receiving kickbacks from government infrastructure projects.
Romualdez has maintained that he did not commit wrongdoing.
