The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed Wednesday that it has implemented hold departure orders (HDOs) issued by the Sandiganbayan against former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and two co-accused in a ₱7.44-billion plunder case.
The anti-graft court’s Third Division issued the travel restrictions on September 7 alongside arrest warrants for Romualdez, Co, Romualdez’s personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation President Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.
According to immigration records, Romualdez and Guevarra are inside the country, whereas Co and Serenio departed the Philippines before the court issued the travel bans. Co has been out of the country since July 2025.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla noted that government agencies are coordinating with international partners, including Interpol, to trace and apprehend the former lawmaker.
In a official statement, immigration authorities assured the public that they will strictly execute the HDOs within their legal capacity.
”It cannot disclose specific travel details or other personal information concerning the individuals, in compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws,” the bureau stated regarding its operational limits.
The Ombudsman charged the four individuals over an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control and government infrastructure projects valued at ₱7.44 billion.
The Sandiganbayan emphasized that issuing arrest orders reflects a finding of probable cause based on submitted case records and does not constitute a determination of guilt, noting the accused remain presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Romualdez is currently under medical supervision while detained at the infirmary of the New Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City.
He formally entered a not guilty plea during his September 16 arraignment, which took place via videoconference.