The plunder case filed against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, and two other respondents over their alleged involvement in irregularities in flood control projects has been raffled off to the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
The Office of the Ombudsman filed the P7.4-billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan on Monday, September 7.
The case will be handled by the Sandiganbayan Third Division, chaired by Associate Justice Karl Miranda, which will determine whether probable cause exists to issue arrest warrants against the respondents.
The division is also handling the plunder case against Senator Rodante Marcoleta and the malversation case against former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., both of which resulted in the issuance of arrest warrants.
As of this writing, no arrest warrants have been issued against Romualdez, Co, and the two other respondents, as the Ombudsman only filed the case before the Sandiganbayan earlier in the day.
Speaking to reporters after filing the cases, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Ombudsman hopes the Sandiganbayan will issue an arrest warrant against Romualdez at the soonest possible time.
Clavano, however, acknowledged that the Ombudsman has no control over the Sandiganbayan’s proceedings and that the matter is now within the court’s jurisdiction.
