Romualdez's bid to lift travel ban denied

The Sandiganbayan has denied the bid of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to lift the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him pending government prosecutors’ probe on his alleged involvement in the flood control mess.

In a 12-page Resolution, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division said Romualdez failed to justify his need for a medical check up.

“Representative Romualdez failed to establish the necessity of his proposed travel abroad... Although he claimed that the trip was for medical reasons, he did not submit any supporting medical records, medical abstract, or even a confirmed schedule for follow-up consultation with his physician in Singapore,” the Sandigabayan said.

"He likewise failed to show that prior to the emergence of the flood control controversy, he had previously undertaken similar trips for the same medical purpose,” added the Sandigabayan.

By issuing PHDO against Romualdez, the anti-graft court said it addressed the situation that an individual who is suspected of committing a crime may have his or her right to travel restricted for the purpose of ensuring that individual's attendance at the proceedings and prevent him or her from absconding in the event that a criminal Information is filed with the courts.

“Accordingly, [the] instant motion is denied for lack of merit,” the Sandiganbayan said.

Romualdez is being investigated over complaints for alleged plunder, direct bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and money laundering.

Romualdez has consistently denied allegations, saying that these are based on intrigues instead of merits. —VAL, GMA News