Martin Romualdez not trying to leave PH — counsel

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has not attempted to leave the Philippines despite claims by the Office of the Ombudsman, his lawyer said Tuesday.

Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo, denied Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano's claim that the former House Speaker had tried to leave the country, saying it had no basis.

Fajardo said Romualdez has remained in the country since the flood control controversy erupted.

"Wala kaming idea kung saan nakuha o napulot ni Assistant Ombudsman Clavano ang mga ganyang detalye. Muli naming lilinawin na hindi umalis at umaalis ng bansa si dating Speaker Romualdez," Fajardo said in a statement.

(We have no idea where Assistant Ombudsman Clavano got or picked up such details. We reiterate that former Speaker Romualdez has not left and is not leaving the country.)

"Lagi siyang handa na humarap sa lahat ng mga imbestigasyon. So hindi po natin alam kung saan napupulot ni Mr. Clavano ang ganyang balita," he added.

(He has always been ready to face all investigations. So we do not know where Mr. Clavano is getting such information.)

Clavano told reporters on Monday that Romualdez had attempted to leave the country despite a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him by the Sandiganbayan.

He urged border security and law enforcement agencies to continue monitoring possible channels that Romualdez could use to leave the country.

Fajardo said such allegations could create the impression that Romualdez is guilty.

"The effect of this is, of course, there will be a perception among our countrymen that Congressman Romualdez looks guilty because of attempting to escape," Fajardo said in Filipino.

Fajardo added that they are studying how best to respond to Clavano's claims.

The former House Speaker is under investigation for alleged plunder, direct and indirect bribery, money laundering, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, prompting the anti-graft court to issue the PHDO against him.

Romualdez has been tagged as a key figure in the flood control controversy, in which billions of pesos in public funds were allegedly siphoned off through bogus infrastructure projects.— MCG, GMA News