Ombudsman denies Romualdez's request to go abroad for medical check-up

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday they denied the request of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez to travel to Singapore on April 21 for a medical check-up. 

In a press conference, Remulla said that the camp of the former Speaker's camp has been reaching out to him until the 11th hour to no avail. 

“Romualdez was supposed to have a check-up in Singapore, they were trying to ask us to allow him to leave. But because we have a bulletin, a lookout order with Immigration [bureau] about those who are under investigation we did not respond favorably to the request that he be allowed to leave,”  he said. 

“Actually, they were burning the lines yesterday and up to this morning. I held my ground. I said, when you join the government, you already surrender your right to travel, especially to another jurisdiction especially if you're under investigation. Baka hindi na bumalik eh (He might not return),” Remulla added.

The Office of the Ombudsman also sought the freezing of the assets of Romualdez over alleged money laundering. 

“We are waiting on AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Committee) to file a freeze order on Martin Romualdez. We already endorsed the complaint to them,” Remulla said.

“We're waiting for the Romualdez cases to start rolling. And the first case would be about money laundering,” he added.

Remulla, however, conceded that securing a freeze order against Romualdez is not a walk in the park.

“Hindi madaling kalaban ‘yan. Lahat ng pinakamagagaling na abogado ay nakuha na nila para depensahan sila. Pero naniniwala kami na nandito kami sa side ng batas, sa side ng taumbayan,” Remulla said. 

(This is not an easy foe. They have the best lawyers to defend them on this. But we believe that we are on the side of the law and of the people.)

In a statement, Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's lawyer and spokesperson, said the lawmaker was not barred from leaving the country because an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order only requires prior coordination with authorities. 

“Representative Romualdez sought travel authority in all good faith—and this authority has been granted. This underscores his full compliance with the law and negates any insinuation of flight risk,” Fajardo said

He also said the AMLC must file a formal application before the Court of Appeals, supported by evidence, before any freeze order may be issued. 

“As of this time, we have received no official notice of any such application or order. Any statement suggesting that a freeze order is imminent remains speculative,” he pointed out. 

There is no pending criminal or administrative case against Romualdez to this day. 

In closing, Fajardo said that statements about cases “being prepared” do not equate to an actual prosecution.

“We urge caution against drawing conclusions from incomplete or unofficial information. Rep. Romualdez has consistently respected legal processes and will continue to do so. If and when any formal action is taken, we will respond fully and appropriately before the proper forum,”  he said. 

“Until then, these remain unverified claims, and our client is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” Fajardo added. —AOL, GMA News