The Sandiganbayan Third Division will begin the bail hearing for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on October 12, 2026, as he faces a plunder charge over an alleged ₱7.4-billion kickback scheme linked to flood-control projects.
According to RH Val Gonzales’ report on DZRH, Sandiganbayan Third Division Chairperson Justice Karl Miranda set the bail hearings from October 12 to November 12.
The court ordered Romualdez to personally appear at the Sandiganbayan during the first hearing of his bail petition.
The trial proper, meanwhile, is scheduled to begin on November 23.
Romualdez's legal team is expected to file its petition for bail on Monday, September 28.
The prosecution is set to present 23 witnesses during the proceedings, while the defense is expected to present three to four witnesses.
Romualdez appeared via videoconference during Friday's pre-trial proceedings from the New Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory.
The Sandiganbayan allowed his motion to hold the pre-trial proceedings inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility due to his detention.
Although he appeared remotely, the court ordered Romualdez to be physically present for the first bail hearing on October 12 and to sign the pre-trial order.
During the proceedings, Romualdez was seen wearing a yellow person deprived of liberty shirt covered by a blue jacket. Romualdez was still assisted in a wheelchair on his way back to his detention cell after the pre-trial proceedings.
