Romualdez files bail petition amid P7.4B plunder case

FORMER House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez has formally filed a petition for bail as he faces plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged P7.4‑billion flood control projects kickback scheme.

The motion was submitted following his arrest, transfer from a private hospital to the Philippine General Hospital, and subsequent move to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, where he has been detained since September 14.

In his plea, Romualdez maintains his innocence and asserts that the evidence against him is weak, emphasizing that plunder is a non‑bailable offense only when the evidence of guilt is strong — a standard he argues has not been met in his case.

The anti‑graft court earlier denied his bid to remain under hospital confinement, ruling that he was medically fit for transfer and noting that other persons deprived of liberty face graver health conditions while detained.

His legal team has stated that his identified conditions — including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and depressive and anxiety disorders — require regular monitoring and treatment that jail facilities may not adequately provide. They have cited his long public service record, lack of prior convictions, and deep community ties as grounds for granting bail, assuring the court that he will not flee and will appear at all scheduled hearings.

Prosecutors opposing the petition have argued that the sheer scale of the alleged funds involved and the severity of the offense weigh heavily against his release.

They have also pointed to the flight of co‑accused former lawmaker Zaldy Co and former aide Joselyn Serenio as evidence that those implicated in the scheme may attempt to evade accountability. The Sandiganbayan is expected to schedule a hearing to receive arguments from both sides before issuing its decision. Romualdez remains in government custody while the proceedings are ongoing.