Philippines: Martin Romualdez suspended for 90 days amid plunder case

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered a 90-day suspension for former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, pending his plunder case. The anti-graft court directed the lawmaker to cease and desist from his functions as the representative of the 1st congressional district of Leyte. Romualdez faces allegations of amassing P7.4 billion in ill-gotten wealth through government infrastructure projects, specifically related to flood control.

The Supreme Court recently dismissed Romualdez’s petition to halt the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation, ruling the challenge moot because formal plunder charges had already been filed. Romualdez has entered a not guilty plea and is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail – Male Dormitory.

In a separate development, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has launched an investigation into allegations that Romualdez was secretly moved out of the detention facility. These claims, which surfaced via social media, suggested that jail personnel facilitated unauthorized movements through power interruptions. Initial CCTV verifications by the agency have not yet documented any such interruptions.