Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been barred from leaving the Philippines after the Sandiganbayan approved a request from the Office of the Ombudsman for a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO). The anti-graft court’s 7th Division granted the order on Wednesday, April 22, following a summary hearing held the same day.
Timing of the Travel Ban
The PHDO was issued shortly after Romualdez was granted travel clearance on April 20 for angioplasty surgery. His approved travel window was scheduled from April 20 to May 4, but the Ombudsman had requested the PHDO on April 21.
Staff members for the former speaker indicated on Wednesday morning that he remained in the country. This presence ensures that the PHDO can be effectively invoked to prevent him from flying overseas.
Allegations of Massive Kickback Scheme
The Office of the Ombudsman alleges that Romualdez acted as the “purported mastermind” of a kickback scheme involving ghost flood control projects. The Ombudsman claims the total amount of these kickbacks reached approximately P56 billion.
Romualdez is currently facing complaints for plunder, graft, money laundering, as well as direct and indirect bribery. These legal actions are currently at the preliminary investigation stage, meaning he has not yet been indicted or formally charged in court.
Defense and Property Investigations
In a video statement released Tuesday, Romualdez denied masterminding the alleged scheme. He argued that the national budget process is a collective effort involving the entire House, the Senate, and the executive branch, rather than the House speaker alone.
Separate investigations have highlighted three multimillion-peso properties linked to the former speaker. This includes a P445-million mansion located in Sotogrande, Spain, which is allegedly connected to Malaysian shareholders.
Potential Next Steps
Because the cases are still at the preliminary investigation level, the Ombudsman may continue its probe to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a formal indictment. A possible next step could be the filing of formal charges in court if the investigation concludes in favor of the prosecution.
The PHDO may remain in effect to ensure Romualdez remains accessible for legal proceedings while the Office of the Ombudsman completes its review of the complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO)?
A PHDO is a legal tool that allows prosecutors to request a hold departure order even if the investigation is still at the complaint level, preventing a person from leaving the country.
What are the specific charges facing Martin Romualdez?
He is facing complaints for plunder, graft, money laundering, and both direct and indirect bribery related to an alleged P56 billion kickback scheme involving ghost flood control projects.
How has Martin Romualdez responded to the allegations?
In a video statement, Romualdez denied masterminding the scheme, stating that the national budget process is handled by the House, the Senate, and the executive branch collectively.
Do you believe the use of preliminary travel bans is an effective tool in high-profile corruption investigations?
