Romualdez camp to question precautionary hold departure order

The camp of former House speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez will question the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order against him in the proper forum, according to his lawyer.  

In a statement released on Thursday by Atty. Ade Fajardo, Romualdez's spokesperson and lawyer, said that they will "avail of all appropriate legal remedies to question the issuance of this order before the proper forum."

Fajardo also maintained that his client is still in the country.

"We categorically clarify: Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible," Romualdez's lawyer said. 

The former Speaker's camp also maintains that Romualdez, who is facing investigation over alleged plunder, money laundering, graft, and other offenses, "remains committed" to facing the allegations against him. 

“Rep. Romualdez followed the proper process. He sought and secured the necessary travel authority, and coordinated in good faith with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration for a brief, long-overdue four-day medical check-up with his attending physician in Singapore,” Fajardo said.

"This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning—one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes. Unfortunately, this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee," he added. 

Romualdez's lawyer on Wednesday said their camp expected due process to be observed after a complaint was filed against him for alleged plunder and money laundering, among other charges.  

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said earlier this week that he denied Romualdez's request to travel to Singapore on April 21 for a medical check-up. —VAL, GMA News