MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) ordered the freezing of assets linked to former House Speaker and Leyte congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla disclosed the development during a radio program over the weekend, confirming that the freeze order stemmed from proceedings initiated by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
“Si former Speaker Martin Romualdez, na-freeze na ’yung kaniyang… may freeze order na. From Court of Appeals kasi doon talaga dinadala ang freeze orders ng AMLC,” Remulla said.
The AMLC earlier reported that it had secured a freeze order against a “prominent incumbent legislator,” along with a business associate and a corporate entity, all allegedly linked to irregularities in flood control projects. While the agency did not name the individual, Remulla identified Romualdez as the subject.
According to the AMLC, the freeze order covers multiple assets, including dozens of bank accounts and insurance policies registered under the legislator’s name. Additional accounts, investment instruments, and properties linked to an alleged associate and a corporate entity were also included.
The anti-money laundering body said the appellate court found probable cause to connect the assets to possible violations, including plunder, direct and indirect bribery, and breaches of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Earlier, his lawyers had asked the Office of the Ombudsman to inhibit from investigating him, citing alleged prejudgment after officials reportedly labeled him a “master plunderer” even before a case was filed.
Romualdez has also moved to challenge a precautionary hold departure order issued against him in relation to the same controversy./PN
