Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez requested a 14-day trip to Singapore from April 20 to May 4, 2026, but Ombudsman Boying Remulla said on Tuesday he was not allowed to travel.
On Monday, Romualdez sought travel clearance from House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, citing a “long overdue” follow-up on his angioplasty surgery. Remulla, however, said the Ombudsman denied the request.
In his letter to Dy, Romualdez wrote that he had also informed the Department of Justice of his intention to travel, noting the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order issued Oct. 8, 2025.
He gave his assurance that he would return to the Philippines immediately after his medical engagement and remain accessible for urgent legislative matters during the period.
Romualdez is facing major corruption allegations, specifically involving kickbacks from flood control projects. Remulla said his office has endorsed a complaint to the Anti-Money Laundering Council as part of a move to issue an asset freeze order against the lawmaker.
“We’re waiting for the AMLC to file a freeze order on Martin Romualdez. We already endorsed a complaint to them,” Remulla said at a press conference.
During the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s investigation into flood control projects, Romualdez also sought to be excused for an unspecified medical procedure.
Romualdez is among the most prominent figures linked to the flood control scandal, along with former lawmaker Rep. Zaldy Co, who was reportedly detained in Prague after entering the Czech Republic without proper documentation.
