MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has confirmed the enforcement of a Sandiganbayan hold departure order against former speaker Martin Romualdez and three co-accused, with two of them already outside the Philippines when the order was issued.
Based on immigration records, Romualdez and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra remain in the country, while former Ako Bicol party-list congressman Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co and Joselyn Serenio are abroad.
The Sandiganbayan issued the HDO and warrants of arrest on the same day after finding probable cause in the case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Romualdez is detained at the New Quezon City Jail.
The anti-graft court’s Third Division issued the HDO on Sept. 7 alongside warrants of arrest for Romualdez, Co, Guevarra and Serenio in connection with the plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
