Sandiganbayan Issues Hold Departure Order Against Romualdez

Sandiganbayan Issues Hold Departure Order Against Romualdez

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 23, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division has issued a Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against former Speaker and current Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez, effectively barring him from leaving the country. The order, dated April 22, 2026, stems from an application by the Office of the Ombudsman, which cites “probable cause to believe that the respondent will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution” for serious charges including Plunder, Direct Bribery, Graft (Violations of Sections 3 (a) and 3 (b) of Republic Act No. 3019), Indirect Bribery, and Money Laundering.

This development marks a significant escalation in the Ombudsman’s investigation into alleged systemic corruption involving national budget allocations and multi-billion-peso flood control projects.

Romualdez is now at the epicenter of a burgeoning scandal that also implicates former Senate President Chiz Escudero, as the Ombudsman declares its intent to pursue plunder charges against both political figures.

Travel Ban and Flight Risk: Romualdez Under Intense Scrutiny

The issuance of the PHDO follows Romualdez’s recent attempt to travel to Singapore for what he described as a “long overdue follow-up on angioplasty surgery.” This request was met with a clear rejection from the Ombudsman, who had already subjected Romualdez to an immigration lookout order. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla explicitly linked the lookout order to an ongoing investigation into the lawmaker’s alleged involvement in a staggering P56-billion kickback scheme related to flood control projects.

While Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, asserted that House clearance for the Singapore trip was granted and that an immigration lookout bulletin merely requires prior coordination, the Ombudsman’s subsequent application for a PHDO to the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division paints a far graver picture. The Ombudsman’s filing argues for an “exceptionally high” probability of Romualdez attempting to flee “to evade arrest and prosecution,” a concern now validated by the Sandiganbayan’s immediate action.

Explosive Allegations Fueling the Probe: Zaldy Co and Senate Testimonies

The Ombudsman’s formal request to the Sandiganbayan is anchored in a compelling complaint-affidavit from its Special Panel of Investigators. Central to this document are public statements by former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, whose recent return to the Philippines has reportedly sent shockwaves through political circles. Co has allegedly identified Romualdez as the “mastermind” behind the elaborate kickback scheme, claiming illicit funds were regularly delivered to residences linked to Romualdez in Forbes Park, Makati.

Further substantiating these grave allegations are sworn testimonies from Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings. Accounts from alleged former Philippine Marines members and a witness identified as Orly Guteza reportedly corroborate descriptions of significant cash deliveries to Romualdez, adding substantial weight to the mounting evidence.

In a decisive move signaling the seriousness of the investigation, Ombudsman Remulla also confirmed that his office has formally requested the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to issue a freeze order on Romualdez’s assets. This action targets the alleged proceeds of corruption, although Romualdez’s legal counsel maintains that no official notice of such an application or order has yet been received.

Romualdez’s Defiant Warning and the “Fall Guy” Narrative

As the legal and investigative net tightens, Romualdez has adopted an increasingly defiant stance. He has previously sought to shift responsibility for flood control project implementation to the Executive branch. More recently, he issued a stark and thinly veiled warning: if his name continues to be tarnished and he is made a “fall guy,” he “will not go quietly; I will not go alone.” This provocative statement has ignited intense speculation about potential deeper implications and the possible involvement of other powerful, unnamed figures.

The Judiciary’s Imperative: A Stand Against Kleptocracy

The gravity of the situation was articulated by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen during recent oral arguments concerning petitions against unprogrammed appropriations. He underscored the judiciary’s critical role, stressing that the Supreme Court’s duty is not to “remain comfortable while the people suffer” or to “allow those in power to abuse their authority while they simply watch.”

Leonen’s resonant words cut through the political noise, echoing the public’s profound frustration and disillusionment: “Our narrative is that of the motorcycle rider who died while waiting for his few thousand pesos for ayuda… not the narrative of those waiting for their cut in the allocation of a government budget amounting to millions.

Our narrative should be of the family who lost their homes in a fire… who now desperately seek shelter, not those who have mansions and farm-to-market roads that lead to their mansions or subdivisions they now own.” His statement serves as a powerful reminder of the societal impact of alleged corruption.

“Medical Reasons” or Escape Route? Public Trust Hangs in the Balance

The recurring invocation of “medical reasons” for overseas travel by high-profile figures facing corruption allegations has severely eroded public trust. As the Office of the Speaker reportedly granted Romualdez travel clearance, a cynical reminder reverberates: “Medical reasons have been used before as convenient exits. Remember Zaldy Co? When treatment could have been done here, abroad became the excuse.”

This ongoing saga transcends mere denial of medical care; it is fundamentally about upholding accountability and safeguarding public confidence in the rule of law. The Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan now face a critical litmus test of their impartiality and resolve: to meticulously scrutinize every detail, follow every lead, and ensure that justice is not a selective privilege.

With charges for Plunder, Direct Bribery, Graft, Indirect Bribery, and Money Laundering officially raffled to the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division, the entire nation watches with bated breath, anticipating a decisive reckoning for those accused of rampant kleptocracy.