MANILA – Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez remains in the country and will pursue legal remedies following a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued by the Sandiganbayan, his camp said Thursday.
The order was reportedly issued after a request from the Office of the Ombudsman.
Romualdez’s lawyer-spokesperson Ade Fajardo said they would challenge the issuance through proper legal channels.
“We will avail of all appropriate legal remedies to question the issuance of this order,” Fajardo said.
He also denied reports that the lawmaker had left the country.
“Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any claim that he has fled is false and irresponsible,” he said.
Fajardo explained that Romualdez had secured travel clearance and coordinated with authorities for a brief medical trip to Singapore, which was scheduled for a four-day check-up with his physician.
He said the trip was done in compliance with proper procedures and was being misrepresented in public discourse.
Romualdez, according to his camp, remains committed to addressing the allegations against him through legal means.
ia/xf
