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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez in the Philippines; 'flee country' narrative slammed

Romualdez in the Philippines; 'flee country' narrative slammed

Published Apr 23, 2026 12:18 pm

At A Glance

  • Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez remains in the Philippines, his counsel-spokesperson confirmed on Thursday morning, April 23.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez remains in the Philippines, his counsel-spokesperson confirmed on Thursday morning, April 23.
This, as the Romualdez camp slammed the apparent narrative that he planned on fleeing the country amid alleged links to anomalous flood control projects.
"We acknowledge reports that the Sandiganbayan has issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez upon request of the Office of the Ombudsman," lawyer Ade Fajardo said in a statement sent to House reporters.
"At the outset, we categorically clarify: Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible," he said.
Earlier, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president secured a travel authority from the House of Representatives leadership. He was supposed to be in Singapore from April 20 to May 4, 2026 for "a long overdue follow-up" on his angioplasty surgery.
The lawyer assured the public that Romualdez, "followed the proper process".
"He sought and secured the necessary travel authority, and coordinated in good faith with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for a brief, long-overdue four-day medical check-up with his attending physician in Singapore," Fajardo said.
"This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning—one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes. Unfortunately, this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee," noted Fajardo.
The lawyer further said: "We will avail of all appropriate legal remedies to question the issuance of this order before the proper forum."
"Rep. Romualdez remains committed to facing these allegations squarely," Fajardo said.
There is as yet no formal filed case against Romualdez, a former two-time House Speaker.

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