Ombudsman seeks hold departure order vs. Martin Romualdez

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has asked the Sandiganbayan to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Leyte Representative and former speaker Martin Romualdez, who is facing investigation over allegations of plunder and money laundering, among others.

“While the cases [complaints] are pending before the Office of the Ombudsman, the teams find it necessary to seek this remedy so as not to jeopardize the cases,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Tuesday.

“They do not want the respondent to abscond and evade office processes. Based on the details on the Sandiganbayan website, the Ombudsman’s request for PHDO on Romualdez was raffled to the Seventh Division today, April 21,” he added.

Reason for PHDO request

The Ombudsman’s application for an PHDO cited a complaint affidavit dated April 20, 2026 filed by the Special Panel of Investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman before the Ombudsman's Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Monitoring Office over alleged plunder, direct bribery, violations of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery and money laundering. 

The Ombudsman said the complaint-affidavit “involves the alleged kickback scheme tied to flood control projects, purportedly masterminded by the respondent [Romualdez], with the total amount of such kickbacks reaching approximately P56 billion.” 

The application for PHDO was also anchored on allegations made by Co, who linked Romualdez to budget insertions to supposedly fund flood control projects and kickbacks, as well as accusations of a certain Orly Guteza and 18 “Marines” that cash was supposedly being delivered to the former speaker's residence. 

“The circumstances alleged in complaint-affidavit, supported by testimonies/statements of witnesses and other personalities as well as documents, establish the existence of the alleged kickback scheme involving flood control projects and the respondent's participation therein. Based on the foregoing, the Office of the Ombudsman has made a preliminary finding of probable cause against respondent Romualdez for plunder, direct bribery, violations of Sections 3 (a) and 3 (b) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), indirect bribery and money laundering,” the Ombudsman said.

“The Office of the Ombudsman is filing the instant application [for PHDO] on the basis of its findings and upon receiving information that the respondent may depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution for charges that will likely be filed against them. This preventive action is being sought so as not to impair the investigative power of the Ombudsman and render futile the processes taken up before any [criminal] information is filed,” the Ombudsman added. 

Clearance, no clearance

House Speaker Faustino Dy III had earlier granted Romualdez clearance to travel to Singapore from April 20 to May 4 for a medical procedure.

However, Remulla told reporters that he denied Romualdez's request. 

“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 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.

Speaker Dy had granted Romualdez's request for clearance to travel to Singapore.

The Ombudsman has also sought a PHDO against Benguet Representative Eric Yap and his brother, former ACT-CIS party-list congressman Edvic Yap, who allegedly have beneficial ownership, control, and financial interest in Silverwolves Construction, the contractor of the two phases of the alleged unfinished flood control projects in La Union worth P89.7 million each.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has already granted the Ombudsman’s application for PHDO on the Yap brothers.

There are no pending criminal charges against either Romualdez or the Yap brothers. — BM, GMA News