By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been placed under government custody after the Sandiganbayan ordered his arrest over a plunder case linked to alleged irregularities in government infrastructure projects.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Monday night that Romualdez had been arrested after authorities served the warrant while he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
Romualdez was admitted to the hospital Monday afternoon following what Remulla described as a “cardiovascular event.”
Despite his hospitalization, security personnel were deployed around the facility.
“We have armed guards outside this door. We have armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby,” Remulla told reporters.
He said Romualdez was considered a person deprived of liberty after authorities informed him of his rights.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division had directed that Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s first congressional district, be placed under government custody.
The arrest came after the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder complaint against the former House speaker before the anti-graft court.
The Ombudsman accused Romualdez of allegedly receiving kickbacks amounting to P7.44 billion from flood control, infrastructure and other government projects implemented from 2022 to 2025.
The case is part of the continuing investigation into alleged corruption involving government infrastructure projects.
The development also follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier statement that cases involving Romualdez in connection with the infrastructure controversy would move forward.
Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, served as House speaker before stepping down from the post.
The allegations against him remain subject to proceedings before the Sandiganbayan.
ia/xf
