MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers on Monday welcomed the filing of a plunder case and the issuance of an arrest warrant against former Speaker Martin Romualdez, but warned that the flood control corruption probe should not end with him.
Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio described Romualdez as one of the “big fish” in the controversy but insisted that the investigation must reach President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Finally, former Speaker Martin Romualdez has been charged and the Sandiganbayan has issued an arrest warrant,” Tinio said, adding that the Ombudsman should not stop with Romualdez and his alleged associate, Zaldy Co.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co likewise called Romualdez “just the tip of the iceberg,” questioning why lawmakers still receive pork barrel allocations and why flood control funding has returned to the 2027 national budget despite the continuing corruption scandal.
“We will let justice and due process take its course, but the executive department cannot escape accountability,” Co said, calling for Cabinet officials allegedly involved in the controversy to also face charges.
Sandiganbayan to assess Romualdez’s medical condition
Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan said Monday that only the court can determine whether Romualdez’s medical condition would affect the implementation of his arrest warrant.
Sandiganbayan Third Division Clerk of Court lawyer Dennis Pulma told The Manila Times that the court-issued warrant remained in force, with the Sandiganbayan sheriff proceeding to Cardinal Santos Medical Center to implement it.
“If there are concerns regarding the accused’s medical condition, it is only the Court that can determine whether such condition affects the implementation of the warrant,” Pulma said.
He said the sheriff and other law enforcement agencies were duty-bound to implement the court’s order.
“If there are medical concerns, these should be properly documented and brought to the attention of the Court,” Pulma said.
“Until the Court orders otherwise, the warrant remains in force and must be implemented,” he added.
