Romualdez camp demands BI correct ‘fake news’ on alleged bid to flee country

THE camp of former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday demanded that the Bureau of Immigration (BI) retract and apologize for what it described as “fake news” after the agency publicly claimed it had received information that he planned to leave the country.

In a demand letter dated July 24, 2026 sent by Solis Medina Fajardo & Malilong Law Offices and addressed to Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado, Romualdez’s lawyers also called on the BI to disclose the source of the alleged information, explain why it was publicly disclosed despite the lack of verification, identify the officials who authorized its release, and withdraw any statement suggesting that the former Speaker intended to flee the country.

“Rep. Romualdez is constrained to register his strongest objection and protest against the circulation by the Bureau of Immigration (the ‘Bureau’) of false and unverified reports, specifically its supposed receipt of ‘information’ regarding purported plans of Rep. Romualdez to leave the country. These reports are patently false, misleading, and gravely prejudicial to Rep. Romualdez and the proceedings pending before the Sandiganbayan in People v. Romualdez, Case No. E-SB-26-PHDO-0002.”

The protest stemmed from a July 21 statement attributed to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval that the Bureau had “received information that there were plans that did not push through,” a statement later cited by the Office of the Ombudsman in publicly accusing Romualdez of attempting to leave the Philippines.

The lawyers argued that the BI’s public statement unfairly created the impression that Romualdez was trying to evade the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.

“By their plain import, the confirmation attributed to the Bureau create the unmistakable public impression that Rep. Romualdez attempted to flee the country to evade the jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan and the pending criminal investigation against him. This is a grave accusation with no basis in fact, and it directly undermines Rep. Romualdez’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The letter likewise stressed that issues involving Romualdez’s travel remain before the courts and should not be the subject of public speculation by government agencies.

“The restrictions on Rep. Romualdez’s right to travel are presently sub judice and, as such, are not proper subjects of public comment, discussion, or speculation, much less the dissemination of unverified, false, or fabricated information. Public statements of this nature issued by a law enforcement agency tend to influence public opinion on a matter still sub judice and impede the fair and orderly administration of justice.”

The legal team categorically denied that Romualdez had ever attempted to evade legal process.

“At no time has Rep. Romualdez taken any action to evade any lawful court order or judicial process, or to place himself beyond the reach of Philippine authorities. He has consistently respected the institutions of government and has subjected himself to legal process where he is called to answer.”

Invoking the standards imposed on government officials under Republic Act No. 6713, the lawyers demanded that the BI disclose the source of the alleged information, explain what verification it undertook before releasing it to the media, identify the officials who authorized its disclosure, and immediately correct what they described as a false public narrative that Romualdez intended to flee the country.

“If the Bureau possesses competent evidence supporting the serious public imputation that our client intended to evade legal proceedings, it should identify, verify, and produce such evidence.”

“Absent such evidence, the statements attributed to the Bureau are wholly baseless, irresponsible, and gravely prejudicial to our client. An immediate retraction and a public apology is, therefore, warranted.”

The demand letter was signed by Atty. Abdiel Dan E.S. Fajardo and Atty. Felix Michael U. Villa, who warned that Romualdez would pursue legal remedies should the BI fail to take corrective action.

“This demand is made in the interest of ensuring that our client’s constitutional rights are protected. Failure of the Bureau to satisfactorily respond with corrective action shall constrain our client to pursue all remedies available to him under the law.”