MANILA — Leyte’s Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez remains in the country and will fight graft and plunder allegations, his camp declared, as the Sandiganbayan moved to restrict his travel through a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued at the request of the Office of the Ombudsman.
Atty. Ade Fajardo, the former House Speaker’s lawyer and spokesperson, dismissed claims that Romualdez had fled the Philippines as “false and irresponsible,” stressing that the lawmaker continues to confront the accusations against him.
The Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division issued the PHDO following complaints under investigation by the Ombudsman, including alleged plunder, direct and indirect bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and money laundering.
Fajardo said Romualdez had complied with legal procedures prior to the issuance of the order, including securing travel authority and coordinating with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration for a planned four-day medical check-up in Singapore.
“This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning — one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes,” Fajardo said, adding that the trip was a “brief, long-overdue” medical visit with his attending physician.
He also criticized what he described as a “prejudicial narrative” suggesting that the lawmaker intended to evade authorities.
The camp said it would pursue legal remedies to challenge the PHDO before the appropriate forum.
Despite the developments, Fajardo emphasized that Romualdez remains committed to addressing the allegations and will continue to participate in the legal process./PN
