Sandiganbayan issues warrant of arrest for Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co, et al

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued warrants of arrest for former Speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and their two co-accused in the plunder case the Ombudsman filed against them before the court.

The anti-graft court also issued a hold-departure order against Romualdez, Co, and Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.

"The issuance of a warrant of arrest signifies only that, after personally evaluating the records, the Court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged," the Third Division said.

"Probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest exists when the facts and circumstances alleged by the prosecution would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that an offense has been committed by the person sought to be arrested," it added.

"It does not constitute a determination of guilt. All accused continue to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt after a full and impartial trial," the court said.

A lawyer for Romualdez said he will face all allegations against him in connection with his alleged links to the kickback scheme involving the flood control mess.

“We respect the courts and the legal process. Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will face the allegations against him in accordance with law,” Atty. Ade Fajardo, counsel of Romualdez, said in a statement.

“We recognize the public interest surrounding this case. But ultimately, criminal liability must be determined by the evidence presented in court, under the rules and safeguards of our justice system,” he added.

He also said that Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., only asked for a fair shake.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against the Leyte congressman and three others over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme on flood control projects.

Aside from Romualdez, other respondents include former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, who is the personal assistant of Romualdez, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation.

“By repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least 15 occasions, commissions, shares, percentages. kickbacks, "commitments." and/or other pecuniary benefits aggregating at least P7.4 billion by reason or on account of the respective public offices and positions of Romualdez and Co, including monies derived from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, which monies were delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other persons acting for and in his behalf,” the criminal information read.

Likewise, Ombudsman prosecutors alleged that the P7.4 billion allowed Romualdez to acquire several assets such as:

• property located at 30 Tamarind Road, South Forbes Park, Makati City, through Golden Pheasant, partially funded by simulated dollar-to-peso transactions facilitated by Guevarra through Samchan;
• a real property at 14 Narra Avenue, Forbes Park, Makati City, through Brightnews, the purchase price for which was funded by Trans Middle East (Phils.) Equities. Inc., a corporation closely associated with and/or controlled by Romualdez;
• shares of stock in Prime Media Holdings, Inc., through Valiant;
• shares of stock in DigiPlus Interactive Corporation, through Clearspring, among others.

–NB, GMA News