Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has failed to lift his precautionary travel ban after the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division denied his motion in connection with the flood-control scandal investigation.
The resolution in case E-SB-26-PHDO-0002 was promulgated on June 1, 2026. It was penned by Associate Justice Lorifel Lacap Pahimna, chairperson of the Seventh Division, with Associate Justices Georgina D. Hidalgo and Hans Chester T. Nocom concurring.
The case involves the application for a precautionary hold departure order against Romualdez. The court said the matter before it was Romualdez’s motion for reconsideration and motion to lift the PHDO, along with the opposition filed by the People of the Philippines through the Office of the Special Prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman.
In April, the Sandiganbayan Seventh Division granted the Ombudsman’s application for a PHDO against Romualdez as he faced investigation over an alleged kickback scheme involving flood-control projects.
No formal charges have been filed against Romualdez, but the investigation has been linked to possible plunder, graft, or related corruption complaints depending on the evidence gathered by the Ombudsman. Romualdez has repeatedly denied allegations connecting him to the flood-control scandal.
In its resolution, the court said the purpose of a PHDO is to address flight risk during preliminary investigation before the issuance of a warrant of arrest or a hold departure order. It said the rule is meant to ensure the attendance of a person suspected of committing a crime and prevent absconding if a criminal information is filed in court.
“ACCORDINGLY, instant Motion is DENIED for lack of merit,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Romualdez was also among the invited resource persons as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumes its investigation into the flood-control scandal on Thursday, placing the former House leader under renewed public scrutiny as lawmakers examine alleged kickbacks, public works anomalies, and accountability in infrastructure spending.
With the Ombudsman probe moving alongside the Senate inquiry, the case has become one of the most closely watched corruption issues involving a former House Speaker.
PGMN owner Franco Mabanta issues a scathing statement of Romualdez:
“If you’re really innocent, Martin, why do you keep trying to leave the country?
Is it because Mayor Leni Robredo wants to see you held accountable too and you can’t run to the Pinks?
Is it because you will never EVER be forgiven by Inday Sara Duterte after everything you did to her so you can’t run to the DDS?
Is it because the First Family hates you for betraying them so boldly and so egregiously, now sees you for exactly who and what you are, and so you can’t run to the Loyalists either?
I suppose this is what happens when a man walks around with his chest puffed out as though he’s untouchable — thinking that he can get away with treating everyone (literally everyone) with treachery, selfishness, and a REAL SENSE OF ENTITLED NEPOBABY EVIL — only to have the bill of life come back to collect in the end.
You have no right to leave the country anymore, Martin. So stay put. It’s time to eat your pie.”
The Sandiganbayan ruling now keeps Romualdez within the reach of investigators as the Ombudsman probe and Senate inquiry continue to test whether the flood-control scandal will lead to formal charges against one of the country’s most powerful political figures.
