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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House grants Romualdez's personal travel request; ex-Speaker vows to return

House grants Romualdez's personal travel request; ex-Speaker vows to return

Published Apr 21, 2026 05:00 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives leadership granted a travel clearance request from former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who planned a personal trip to Singapore for medical reasons.
Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


The House of Representatives leadership granted a travel clearance request from former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, who planned a personal trip to Singapore for medical reasons.
"As requested, travel clearance is hereby granted to the Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Representative, 1s District, Leyte, in connection with his personal trip to Singapore from 20 April to 04 May 2026," read House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil's response to Romualdez's letter.
"This clearance is issued predicated upon the Honorable Representative's commitment to return to the Philippines forthwith following his medical procedure. It is understood hat the Representative shall maintain accessibility for any urgent official functions or legal proceedings during his absence," it added.
The grant of the request was made "by authority of the Speaker", Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.
Romualdez's travel clearance request read: "Dear Speaker Dy, I respectfully write to request for a travel clearance to Singapore on April 20- May 4, 2026 to do a long overdue follow-up on my angioplasty surgery.
"I have also written the Department of Justice (DOJ) of my intention ta travel, in view of an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) issued last October 8, 2025," read the letter from the Romualdez camp dated April 20," it stated.
In the letter, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president gave his "unequivocal assurance that I will return to the Philippines immediately upon completion of my medical engagement and remain accessible for any urgent legislative matters during this period".
Both the letter and the response were dated April 20.
Romualdez, a former two-time House Speaker, is being linked to anomalous flood control projects. There is as yet no formal case against him.
In a statement Tuesday, Romualdez's counsel and spokesperson, lawyer Ade Fajardo underscored that his client was not ‘barred’ from leaving the country.
"What exists, if any, is an immigration lookout bulletin order, which does not prohibit travel but simply requires prior coordination with authorities. In fact, Rep. Romualdez sought travel authority in all good faith—and this authority has been granted," he said.
"This underscores his full compliance with the law and negates any insinuation of flight risk," Fajardo said.

Related Tags

Martin Romualdez Faustino \"Bojie\" Dy III House of Representatives Travel clearance Singapore
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