mer Speaker Martin Romualdez arrested in P7.44-B flood control plunder case

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, once one of the most powerful figures in Philippine politics, is now under arrest after authorities served a Sandiganbayan warrant against him in a staggering P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks from flood-control and other government infrastructure projects.

The dramatic arrest unfolded Monday, September 7, at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where Romualdez had been hospitalized just hours after the Office of the Ombudsman formally filed the plunder charge.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Romualdez was suffering from what doctors described as a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack. But his hospitalization did not stop police from serving the warrant.

Armed officers were stationed outside his hospital room and around the medical center. After authorities informed Romualdez of his rights, Remulla said the former speaker was officially considered a person deprived of liberty.

At the heart of the explosive case is an allegation that Romualdez and his co-accused repeatedly received commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks and other financial benefits totaling at least P7.44 billion.

Prosecutors allege the money was collected on at least 15 occasions from contractors and other entities with interests in flood-control, infrastructure and government projects funded under national budgets from 2022 through 2025.

Authorities further allege that some of the money was delivered to properties owned, occupied by or associated with Romualdez, with other individuals allegedly receiving funds on his behalf.

Romualdez was charged alongside former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, Romualdez aide Joselyn Tragua Serenio and businessman Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division found probable cause and swiftly issued arrest warrants against all four accused after reviewing the Ombudsman's resolution and supporting records. The court also issued hold-departure ordersagainst them.

The warrants carry another major blow: no bail was recommended.

Romualdez will remain under police guard while doctors assess whether he is medically fit to be brought before the anti-graft court. Remulla said authorities would check on his condition daily until he can be presented in court.

The arrest marks a stunning political downfall for the Leyte lawmaker, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.and a former key power broker in the House of Representatives.

The case is part of a much wider corruption investigation into Philippine flood-control spending. Thousands of projects worth hundreds of billions of pesos have come under scrutiny amid allegations that some were overpriced, substandard or never built at all.

Romualdez has denied wrongdoing.

The Sandiganbayan has also emphasized that its finding of probable cause is not a declaration of guilt. Romualdez and his co-accused remain presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.