GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
US State Department declines to comment on Martin Romualdez visa revocation
NEW YORK - US Department of State spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Friday declined to comment on the reported revocation of the tourist and diplomatic visas of former House speaker and incumbent Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
"Visa records are generally confidential under U.S. law, and we will not discuss the details of this specific case," the U.S. Department of State said in an email to GMA News.
The US government has revoked the diplomatic and tourist visas of Romualdez, who is facing investigation over his alleged involvement in flood control anomalies, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said.
According to immigration lawyer and Bergenfield, New Jersey Mayor Arvin Amatorio, a visa revocation does not automatically indicate that an individual has been found guilty of any wrongdoing. He noted that the US government has broad authority to revoke visas and is not required to publicly disclose the reasons for doing so.
"From an immigration law standpoint, a visa revocation does not automatically mean that someone has been found guilty of anything. The US government has the authority to revoke visas and does not always explain the reason publicly," Amatorio said.
Amatorio explained that US authorities may revoke a visa on their own initiative or in response to information provided by other sources. He said such decisions could be based on intelligence reports and analyses from US government agencies, as well as information gathered by political and diplomatic personnel assigned to the US Embassy in the Philippines.
He added that it is also possible that a request may have come from the Philippine government.
"They can act on their own, or someone may request it. They may have relied on reports from their intelligence agencies and the political unit at the US Embassy in the Philippines," he said.
Amatorio emphasized that the revocation of a visa would not automatically affect Romualdez's family members who are legally residing in the United States, nor would it affect any properties, businesses, or other assets he may have in the country.
"It also does not automatically affect family members who are already here legally, nor does it affect properties, businesses, or other assets in the US Those are separate legal matters," he said.
The Sandiganbayan has already issued a precautionary Hold Departure Order (HDO) against Martin Romualdez, who is being investigated over complaints for alleged plunder, direct bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and money laundering.
The former speaker has denied any role in the corruption related to the 2025 national budget, stressing there is "no evidence that proves that he committed plunder, conspiracy to commit plunder, or any similar offense that the Ombudsman may be contemplating against me."
GMA News Online has reached out to the former House leader for comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available. —KG, GMA News
