Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant for Martin Romualdez over plunder charge
An arrest warrant has been issued for Leyte 1st District Representative and former House speaker Martin Romualdez in connection with a P7.44 billion plunder case.
On Sept. 7, the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division ordered the arrest of Co, former Ako-Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Felicito Cristobal Guevara. A hold departure order has also been issued against them.
The Third Division said that the court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged. It also noted that this does not constitute a determination of guilt.
A lawyer for Romualdez said that the congressman will face allegations of his involvement in a kickback scheme from anomalous flood control projects.
"We respect the courts and the legal process. Representative Ferdinand G. Martin Romualdez will face the allegations against him in accordance with the law," the lawmaker's counsel Atty. Ade Fajardo said in a statement to the press.
"We recognize the public interest surrounding this case. But ultimately, criminal liability must be determined by the evidence presented in court, under the rules and safeguards of our justice system."
Romualdez has also repeatedly denied his connection to the flood control scandal.
Plunder is a non-bailable offense. Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s cousin, is expected to be detained after the arrest warrant is served. Co is currently at large overseas and is facing graft and malversation cases in connection with an anomalous P289 million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.
Earlier on Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the plunder case against Romualdez, Co, and their co-accused.
The lawmakers are accused of repeatedly receiving commissions, kickbacks, shares, "commitments," and other financial benefits at least 15 times, amounting to P7.4 billion.
Malacañang has said that Marcos will not oppose the filing of charges against his cousin.