The Sandiganbayan rejected former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s request to have the precautionary travel ban against him be lifted as he faces an active investigation concerning the flood control scandal.
In a resolution issued on Monday, June 1, Romualdez claimed that the Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) violated his constitutional freedom to travel and was based only on conjecture.
The anti-graft court's Seventh Division rejected the request.
It was also noted by the Sandiganbayan, headed by Associate Justice Lorifel Pahimna that Romualdez’s proposal lacked proof.
“A pleading without verification is treated as unsigned. An unsigned pleading produces no legal effect, such that the party may be deemed not to have filed a pleading at all. Accordingly, this defect alone warrants the denial of the instant Motion,” the resolution read.
Last month, the court's Seventh Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman's request for a PHDO against the former House Speaker, who is under investigation for an alleged payoff scheme involving the flood control projects.
Romualdez claimed in his appeal that there was no reliable proof connecting him to the crimes and that the accusations were "purely on speculation and conjecture."
In addition, he requested that the travel ban be temporarily lifted in order to attend an "overdue" medical visit in Singapore after an angioplasty.
The Sandiganbayan determined that a PHDO only needs a finding of reasonable grounds, not exact certainty of guilt.
"A finding of probable cause needs only to rest on evidence showing that more likely than not a crime has been committed and there is enough reason to believe that it was committed by the accused, it is not a pronouncement of guilt,” the court wrote.
The Sandiganbayan also denied Romualdez’s medical jurisdiction as he failed to submit any medical documents, an abstract or a verified schedule with his doctor in Singapore.
The court further stated that the lawmaker has a clear motive to avoid prosecution due to the seriousness of the possible allegations, which include non-bailable felonies.
"Given the gravity of the allegations and the severe penalties that may result, including imprisonment, fines, and forfeiture of assets, Rep. Romualdez clearly possesses sufficient motive and opportunity to evade the jurisdiction of the authorities should he be allowed to leave the country," the Sandiganbayan decided.
According to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, they are organizing a money laundering case and a master case for conspiracy to steal the national treasury, which includes a plunder allegation against the former House Speaker. Remulla depicted him as the alleged mastermind behind the flood control kickback scheme.
Romualdez was one of the invited resource persons of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee's probe into the flood control scandal.
Written by Nicca Jade Devela
Nicca Jade Devela is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
