Ex-speaker Romualdez’ assets frozen by CA, Ombudsman Remulla confirms

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) ordered the freezing of assets of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez over alleged involvement in the flood control scandal, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Saturday. 

In a DZRH radio interview, Remulla was asked who the sitting lawmaker is in connection with the freeze order secured by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

The AMLC did not name who the lawmaker is, but it said the order covers 25 bank accounts and 10 insurance policies under the legislator’s name.

READ: AMLC secures freeze order vs assets of sitting lawmaker, others

“Si former Speaker Martin Romualdez, na freeze na yung kanyang… Oo, from the Court of Appeals. Dun talaga dinadala ang freeze orders from AMLC. AMLC dyan talaga sila kumukuha ng court order,” Remulla said. 

(That’s former Speaker Martin Romualdez, his [assets] were frozen. Yes, from the Court of Appeals. That’s where the AMLC brings freeze orders. That’s where AMLC gets court orders.)

The AMLC said that upon the freeze order issued last April 23, “the CA found probable cause to link their assets to Plunder under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7659, to Direct and Indirect Bribery under the Revised Penal Code, and to violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. No. 3019.”

The AMLC noted that the order also includes 27 bank accounts, 10 insurance policies, and one investment account linked to the lawmaker’s alleged business associate, as well as two bank accounts, seven property accounts, and one real estate property under the name of the corporate entity. 

Remulla earlier said that the plunder charges against Senator Francis Escudero and Romualdez are expected to be filed next month, in connection with the flood control controversy.

“Ang kalaban namin dito, akusado sa pagnanakaw sa gobyerno. Ito, tiga gobyerno ito. Ito maraming pera, may kapangyarihan. Hindi madaling kalaban ito kaya lang binigyan tayo ng kaukulang tungkulin sa batas na gawin ang lahat,” Remulla added.

(We are resolving against those accused of stealing from the government. This one’s from the government, with money and power. This is not easy but we are given a responsibility under the law to do everything.)

READ: Ombudsman secures court order keeping Romualdez in PH

The Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division recently granted the Ombudsman’s petition to issue a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Romualdez.

In issuing the PHDO, the Seventh Division said it found probable cause “to believe that respondent will depart from the Philippines to evade arrest and prosecution of crime/s being charged against him.”

Romualdez earlier sought a travel clearance for his Singapore travel from April 20 to May 4 “for a long overdue follow-up on my angioplasty surgery.”

Romualdez recently said that he would not allow himself “to be turned into the scapegoat so that others who are actually accountable can walk away clean.”

He also disputed claims that he was involved in budget decisions, saying that Escudero, who was ousted as Senate president, and former lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, the former House appropriations chairperson “were instrumental in making those budget decisions.”

The INQUIRER has sought for a comment from the Romualdez camp and the AMLC. The lawmaker’s camp said it will release an update once available.

Meanwhile, the AMLC said that while it acknowledged the public’s interest in knowing further details on the freeze order, it “cannot provide any comment thereon as all information pertaining to the ongoing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects is considered confidential pursuant to Sec. 8-A of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended.”

“Rest assured, the AMLC is thoroughly investigating all persons-of-interest who are suspected of being involved in the anomalous flood control projects,” the AMLC said in an email response dated May 5 to INQUIRER. /gsg /jpv