The Sandiganbayan has blocked a bid by former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez to cancel a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him. The anti-graft court ruled that his travel restrictions must stay intact while investigators probe his purported involvement in a multibillion-peso flood control anomaly.
In a resolution dated June 1, the court’s 7th Division explained that such travel limits are designed to guarantee that individuals being investigated remain accessible for legal processes and do not leave the country prior to the formal filing of criminal charges.
“With the rule on PHDO, the court addressed the situation that an individual who is suspected of committing a crime may have his or her right to travel restricted for the purpose of ensuring that individual’s attendance at the proceedings and prevent him or her from absconding in the event that a criminal information is filed with the courts,” the court said.
“Accordingly, instant Motion is DENIED for lack of merit,” it added.
Romualdez has been under the PHDO since April, following a request from the Office of the Ombudsman amid its ongoing inquiry into an alleged kickback system tied to flood control initiatives.
In its submission to the court, the Ombudsman tied the former Speaker to potential violations of anti-graft and anti-plunder laws, alongside accusations of direct and indirect bribery and money laundering.
These claims stem partly from testimonies by former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, who labeled Romualdez as the alleged “mastermind” of the network, as well as sworn affidavits detailing supposed cash drop-offs to the lawmaker.
Romualdez maintains his innocence, continuously denying any unlawful conduct, and has not faced formal court charges.
The Sandiganbayan’s denial was handed down just a day before the Senate blue ribbon committee resumes its own congressional inquiry into the flood control project discrepancies, an ongoing hearing where Romualdez has been requested to participate as a resource person.