Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla is seeking a freeze order on the bank accounts and assets of former speaker Martin Romualdez as part of a potential money laundering case involving government infrastructure projects.
- Asset Freeze: The Ombudsman has endorsed a complaint to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to secure assets related to a money laundering investigation.
- Travel Dispute: Remulla rejected Romualdez’s travel request to Singapore, while Speaker Faustino Dy III granted a similar request for a medical checkup.
- Legal Maneuvers: A petition for a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) has been filed with the Sandiganbayan.
Money Laundering Investigation
Remulla stated that his office has endorsed a complaint to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to initiate an investigation into Romualdez. The Ombudsman is now waiting for the AMLC to file for a freeze order before the Court of Appeals.
“He’s being investigated for money laundering. That’s why we’re seeking a freeze order, so we can secure assets that rightfully belong to the nation,” Remulla said in Filipino.
Travel Restrictions and Hold Orders
During a press briefing on Tuesday, April 21, Remulla revealed he rejected Romualdez’s request to travel to Singapore for a five-day medical checkup. However, Speaker Faustino Dy III granted a separate request for Romualdez to travel from April 20 to May 4 for a follow-up on an angioplasty procedure.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed that a petition for a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) has been filed with the Seventh Division of the Sandiganbayan. Clavano stated the measure is necessary to prevent the respondent from absconding and evading official processes.
Remulla noted that he is being cautious following reports that fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co, who is also involved in flood control project investigations, was detained in Prague for lacking proper travel documents. Remulla previously restricted 77 individuals from foreign travel in November last year due to the flood control scandal.
Defense Response
Lawyer-spokesman Ade Fajardo clarified that Romualdez is not barred from leaving the country. Fajardo explained that an immigration lookout bulletin does not prohibit travel but requires coordination with authorities.
Fajardo further stated that Romualdez sought travel authority in good faith and that this authority was granted, negating any claims of flight risk. He added that his client has received no official notice of a freeze order application, calling such suggestions speculative.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson, Dana Sandoval, confirmed that there is currently no record of Romualdez attempting to depart the country. A travel clearance was issued by the office of secretary-general Cheloy Garafil, predicated on Romualdez’s commitment to return following his medical procedure.
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