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Martin Romualdez arrested over alleged ₱7.4-B flood control kickback scheme
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been arrested following plunder charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman. The charges involve an alleged 7.4 billion peso ($118 million) kickback scheme related to government flood control projects between 2022 and 2025. Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was served the arrest warrant by authorities while undergoing treatment at Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack.
Alongside Romualdez, the Sandiganbayan issued warrants for former Representative Zaldy Co, Jocelyn Sereño, and Felicito Guevarra, while also imposing a hold departure order on the accused. Investigators allege the group used coordinated acts and shell corporations to amass wealth from infrastructure projects. Some reports suggest the total amount of ill-gotten wealth under investigation could reach 56 billion pesos.
Malacañang Palace has stated it respects the Ombudsman’s mandate, emphasizing that accountability must be pursued regardless of family or political ties. Romualdez’s legal team has requested that he remain hospitalized due to his documented medical conditions, including diabetes and hypothyroidism, while the court assesses his fitness for detention.
Entities
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. · Manuel Bonoan · Martin Romualdez · Office of the Ombudsman · Sandiganbayan · Zaldy Co
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Romualdez was served the warrant while at Cardinal Santos Medical Center and is now considered a person deprived of liberty. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · marketmonitor.com.ph · canadianinquirer.net · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant for Romualdez and a hold departure order for several individuals. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · marketmonitor.com.ph · www.newsday.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Romualdez was reported to be experiencing a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack during his confinement. theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · marketmonitor.com.ph · canadianinquirer.net · www.newsday.com
- [DISPUTED] Investigators allege the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth amounting to approximately 56 billion pesos between 2022 and 2025. ptvnews.ph
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Malacañang Palace stated it respects the Ombudsman's action and that accountability must be pursued regardless of family ties. ptvnews.ph · philnews.ph
- [● 6 SOURCES] The amount involved in the alleged kickback scheme is 7.4 billion pesos (approximately $118 million). theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · mymotherlode.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · marketmonitor.com.ph · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Investigators accused Romualdez and Co of coordinated acts to unlawfully amass wealth from flood control projects. ptvnews.ph · marketmonitor.com.ph
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Rep. Zaldy Co. ptvnews.ph · theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · mymotherlode.com · www.businesstimes.com.sg · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · +3 more