ICYMI: LIVE UPDATES: Arrest warrant vs. Martin Romualdez, Zaldy Co, et al

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez has been served his warrant of arrest and has undergone the booking procedure at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said on Monday night.

According to Katrina Son's report on "24 Oras," Remulla said Romualdez was read the warrant and his rights in the presence of his lawyer.

A child of Romualdez was said to be in the room when he was served the warrant.

Remulla said the Leyte congressman is also being examined by doctors of the Philippine National Police and doctors from the hospital. They are expected to prepare a report tomorrow for submission to the Sandiganbayan.

“He said Romualdez's condition will continue to be monitored until he is fit to be presented before the court.

Police have secured former Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was taken on Monday afternoon after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jovic" Remulla told reporters.

Remulla went to the hospital early Monday night with PNP chief Police General Jose Melecio Nartatez to serve on Romualdez the warrant of arrest the Sandiganbayan issued after the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against the Leyte congressman, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others.

He said Romualdez is considered a person deprived of liberty once he is read his rights.

"According to the doctors, he is suffering from a cardiovascular event. Unstable ang kanyang blood pressure and [he is] having an anxiety attack," Remulla said.

“However, we made it clear that, like in Secretary Bonoan’s case, we will check every day hanggang he’s well enough to be presented to court," he added.

“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door. Meron kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby," Remulla said.

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez has been served with a warrant of arrest and has undergone the booking procedure at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said on Monday night.

According to Katrina Son's report on "24 Oras," Remulla said Romualdez was read the warrant and his rights in the presence of his lawyer.

A child of Romualdez was said to be in the room when he was served the warrant.

Remulla said the Leyte congressman is also being examined by doctors of the Philippine National Police and doctors from the hospital. They are expected to prepare a report tomorrow for submission to the Sandiganbayan.

“He said Romualdez's condition will continue to be monitored until he is fit to be presented before the court.

Police have secured former Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was taken on Monday afternoon after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jovic" Remulla told reporters.

Remulla went to the hospital early Monday night with PNP chief Police General Jose Melecio Nartatez to serve on Romualdez the warrant of arrest the Sandiganbayan issued after the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against the Leyte congressman, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others.

He said Romualdez is considered a person deprived of liberty once he is read his rights.

"According to the doctors, he is suffering from a cardiovascular event. Unstable ang kanyang blood pressure and [he is] having an anxiety attack," Remulla said.

“However, we made it clear that, like in Secretary Bonoan’s case, we will check every day hanggang he’s well enough to be presented to court," he added.

“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door. Meron kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby," Remulla said.

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Police have secured former Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was taken on Monday afternoon after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jovic" Remulla told reporters.

Remulla went to the hospital with PNP chief Police General Jose Melecio Nartatez to serve on Romualdez the warrant of arrest the Sandiganbayan issued after the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against the Leyte congressman, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others.

He said Romualdez is considered a person deprived of liberty once he is read his rights.

"According to the doctors, he is suffering from a cardiovascular event. Unstable ang kanyang blood pressure and [he is] having an anxiety attack," Remulla said.

“However, we made it clear that, like in Secretary Bonoan’s case, we will check every day hanggang he’s well enough to be presented to court," he added.

“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door. Meron kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby," Remulla said.

“After we read him his rights, he is now considered a person deprived of liberty," he added.

P7.4B plunder charge

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez, 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.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division hours later on Monday issued warrants of arrest against them.

"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.

Remulla said the hospital arrest was not a "permanent situation" for the former Speaker.

"But we assure you, we assure you, he cannot hide behind his wealth," Remulla said.

He said Romualdez's cell at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas is waiting if the Sandiganbayan would commit him to the detention facility.

Fair shake

A lawyer for Romualdez said he would 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. –NB, GMA News

The authorities will serve the warrant of arrest for former Speaker Martin Romualdez even if he is confined in a hospital, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Monday.

Remulla confirmed that he is on his way to a hospital to serve the warrant. He confirmed that hospital arrest was among the options being considered.

According to a report by GMA News' Katrina Son, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group have been seen at a hospital to serve the warrant of arrest on the Leyte congressman.

The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against former speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez and three others over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme on flood control projects.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division then issued warrants of arrest for 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.

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.

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.

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.

Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez will face all allegations against him in connection with his alleged links to the kickback scheme involving the flood control mess, his camp said Monday.

“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 former speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez 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.

The Office of the Ombudsman will file with the Sandiganbayan on Monday charges of plunder against former speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez in connection with his alleged links to anomalous flood control projects, sources said, according to GMA News reporter Maki Pulido.

GMA News Online contacted Romualdez's camp to get their comment but they have yet to issue a statement.

The former speaker's camp on Sunday however appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman for fairness as it sought an opportunity to respond to any new allegations against him.

Ade Fajardo, Romualdez’s legal counsel and spokesperson, made the appeal following reports that former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan may be pressured to link Romualdez to the flood control scandal.

“We are requesting the Ombudsman to inform us if there is any allegation from Secretary Bonoan against former Speaker Romualdez and to give us ample time to comment on it,” Fajardo said.