MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the plunder charge filed against him over an alleged P7.4-billion kickback scheme involving government infrastructure projects.
Romualdez entered his plea during his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan Third Division through video conferencing from the New Quezon City Jail, where he is currently detained.
The Leyte representative had been hospitalized for nearly a week before authorities transferred him to jail.
The anti-graft court issued an arrest warrant on Sept. 7 against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two other accused in connection with the case.
Prosecutors allege that the supposed kickbacks came from contractors and other individuals or entities with interests in flood-control, infrastructure and other government projects funded through the national budgets from 2022 to 2025.
Romualdez has denied the allegations and maintained that he is innocent.
In a statement issued Monday, he said he was prepared to face the charges before the appropriate court and defend himself against the accusations.
The former House speaker’s arraignment marks the formal start of court proceedings on the plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.
ia/xf
