Sandiganbayan OKs Romualdez pretrial attendance via videoconference
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan on Thursday allowed former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to attend the pretrial of his plunder case through videoconference.
Dennis Pulma, Third Division clerk of court, said: “The Sandiganbayan Third Division has GRANTED accused Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s manifestation with motion that allows his pre-trial attendance thru videoconference, tomorrow, September 25, 2026, 8:30 a.m.”
Romualdez has yet to file his bail petition for plunder, according to Pulma.
He also said this matter may be tackled during Romualdez’s pretrial proceedings.
Last week, Romualdez’s lawyer Rachel Ann Pomoy told the court they intended to file a petition for bail.
Plunder is non-bailable and shall only be allowed if the accused’s evidence of guilt is not strong, which could only be established during bail hearing.
READ: Romualdez to seek bail as Sandiganbayan weighs suspension
The former House speaker, also via teleconferencing, pleaded not guilty in his case.
On Sept. 7, the Third Division issued a warrant of arrest against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others for plunder over alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion.
The amount allegedly came from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, according to prosecutors.
The Leyte representative was hospitalized for nearly a week before he was taken into custody at the New Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory on Sept. 14. /mr
