Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is seeking release on bail as he remains detained over the Ombudsman filed plunder case involving ₱7.44 billion in kickbacks and other financial benefits linked to flood control, infrastructure and other government projects.
Romualdez, the incumbent Leyte 1st District representative, filed his bail petition before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Sept. 28. The court issued his arrest warrant on Sept. 7, and he is currently detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
Although the arrest warrant did not include a bail recommendation, Romualdez may still seek provisional liberty. Plunder carries a penalty of life imprisonment, and under Rule 114 of the Rules of Court, bail may be denied if the evidence of guilt is strong. During bail proceedings, prosecutors must establish that the evidence meets that threshold.
The same Sandiganbayan division granted former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. bail less than two months ago after finding that prosecutors failed to establish strong evidence of guilt in a separate flood control corruption case. Revilla later posted a ₱1-million bond and walked out of the same Payatas jail where Romualdez is currently detained.
His bail hearing is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 12 before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, with Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang Miranda presiding. Miranda previously dissented from the Sandiganbayan ruling that granted Revilla bail in his plunder case.
Prosecutors intend to present 23 witnesses during the bail proceedings as the court determines whether the evidence of guilt against Romualdez is strong. Hearings are scheduled every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 12.
The court’s ruling will determine whether Romualdez can secure temporary liberty on bail while the criminal case continues. The trial proper is scheduled to begin Nov. 23.
Prosecutors allege that Romualdez and Zaldy Co received, directly or indirectly, at least ₱7.44 billion in commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, commitments and other financial benefits on at least 15 occasions.
