MANILA, Philippines — Joselyn Tragua Serenio, a former staff member and personal assistant of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, has left the Philippines ahead of a hold departure order issued against her and three other accused in a P7.4-billion plunder case, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday.
The BI said Serenio departed before the Sandiganbayan issued the hold departure order on Sept. 7. The bureau declined to provide details about her departure or current location, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws.
The order covers Romualdez, Serenio, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corp.
BI records show that Romualdez and Guevarra remain in the Philippines, while Serenio and Co are outside the country. Both had left before the court issued the HDO.
NBI looking for co-accused
National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said authorities received information that Serenio left the country around June, or about three months before the Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case.
“We identified na nasa abroad na yung isa,” Matibag said, adding that he did not have Serenio’s exact location.
He said the NBI has formed a team to locate the other co-accused.
The Philippine National Police said Thursday that authorities may seek international cooperation to locate Serenio. PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said authorities continue to search for individuals with outstanding arrest warrants.
Serenio named in alleged kickback scheme
Prosecutors accused Serenio of receiving alleged kickbacks linked to government infrastructure projects while she worked as part of Romualdez’s staff.
The charge sheet alleges that about P7.4 billion in kickbacks came from contractors, individuals and entities interested in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts from 2022 to 2025.
Prosecutors further alleged that the money moved through shell or dummy corporations and other conduits.
The allegations form part of the plunder case against Romualdez, Serenio, Co and Guevarra. The Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants and the HDO against the four on Sept. 7.
Romualdez pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday. He remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.
The Sandiganbayan’s arrest warrant and the filing of charges do not constitute a finding of guilt, and the accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The BI said it will continue enforcing the HDO and take appropriate immigration measures within its authority.
