MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is waiting for the Sandiganbayan’s ruling on its application for a precautionary Hold Departure Order against former speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The petition for a Verified Ex Parte Application for the Issuance of a Precautionary Hold Departure Order was raffled off on Tuesday, April 21, to the Sandiganbayan’s seventh division.
On Wednesday, the court heard the application which was later submitted for resolution.
No case has been filed before the Sandiganbayan against Romualdez, representative of Leyte's first district.
The application for HDO was based on the complaint-affidavit dated April 20, 2026 filed by the Ombudsman's Special Panel of Investigators, as nominal complainant, before the Ombudsman's Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Monitoring Office against Romualdez for alleged plunder.
The Ombudsman said the complaints involved "the alleged kickback scheme tied to flood control projects, purportedly masterminded by the respondent, with the total amount of such kickbacks reaching approximately P56 billion."
Mentioned in the application were former lawmaker Elizaldy Co's statements in video recordings as well as Orly Guteza's testimony.
Romualdez has denied involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
"I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name,” he said, reiterating that he never received any kickback in any infrastructure project.
On Tuesday, Romualdez said he would defend himself from allegations of wrongdoing in connection with the flood control mess.
