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2026-09-16 08:22 UTC → 2026-09-28 05:58 UTC ·
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In early Following his arraignment on September 2026, the investigation into the Philippines’ flood-control project scandal reached a critical turning point. The Office of 16, where he pleaded not guilty to the Ombudsman formally filed P7.44-billion plunder charges against case, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Representative Zaldy Co, alleging irregularities and kickbacks involving projects conducted between 2022 and 2025. Investigators claim the accused coordinated efforts is preparing to unlawfully amass wealth, challenge his detention. His legal team intends to file a petition for temporary liberty, with reported figures ranging from 7.4 billion pesos bail hearings scheduled to as high as 56 billion pesos. Following the filing, begin before the Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants for on October 12, 2026. In addition to the plunder charges, Romualdez faces counts of malversation and several others. Romualdez was served graft. While the warrant while receiving treatment at Cardinal Santos Medical Center for cardiovascular and anxiety-related issues. A dispute emerged regarding his confinement, leading defense expects to present three or four witnesses during the Sandiganbayan bail proceedings, prosecutors plan to order his transfer call 23 witnesses to oppose the University of request. The court has ordered Romualdez to personally appear and sign the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on September 12 for an independent medical examination pre-trial order during the initial hearing. These hearings are expected to verify if private hospital confinement was medically necessary. On September 14, run through November 12, with the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered Romualdez’s transfer full trial on all charges set to commence on November 23. Romualdez remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, effectively ending the dispute over his hospital arrest. This decision followed testimony from PGH Medical Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, who stated that while Romualdez suffers from chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, and anxiety, his condition is stable and he is “medically fit for detention.” On September 16, Romualdez appeared via video conference from the jail facility for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the P7.44-billion plunder case. As the plunder Jail. Other individuals facing charges are non-bailable, the case is now proceeding toward trial. include household staff member Joselyn Serenio and foreign exchange executive Felicito Guevarra, while former Representative Zaldy Co remains a fugitive.