San juan city: Former House of Representatives Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was served his arrest warrant for plunder while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Romualdez, who was admitted for an alleged cardiovascular ailment, unstable blood pressure, and anxiety attack, received the warrant on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, along with Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II, delivered the warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan. The Office of the Ombudsman had filed a PHP7.4-billion plunder case against Romualdez and co-respondents, including ousted Ako Bicol Party-list congressman Zaldy Co, personal aide Joselyn Serenio, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corp. president Felicito Guevarra.

The Ombudsman stated that after months of investigation, it found 'prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction' to file plunder charges against Romualdez, Co, and their co-accused. The case involves the alleged accumulation of approximately PHP7.4 billion from commissions, commitments, quotas, and bribes related to promised government projects from 2022 to 2025.

The investigation revealed that Romualdez had 'uninterrupted control and meaningful participation over the national budget,' while Co allegedly influenced the inclusion, funding, and prioritization of projects. Evidence presented by the Ombudsman included testimonies from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Bulacan District engineer Henry Alcantara, Co's security aides, other witnesses, and various documents, property titles, bank deposits, and corporate shares.

Secretary Remulla emphasized that Romualdez's hospital confinement is temporary and assured that no special treatment would be given despite Romualdez being the first cousin of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo, stated that the congressman would face the allegations in court, emphasizing the importance of evidence and due process.

In a separate statement, Senator Panfilo Lacson highlighted that Romualdez's arrest demonstrated President Marcos Jr.'s commitment to addressing the flood control scandal, even if it involves his own family. Lacson expressed support for the Ombudsman and called for the judicial process to determine the outcome of the case.