Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is considered a “flight risk,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday, September 8.
According to Remulla, Romualdez owns or has access to two private jets, three helicopters, and three yachts, prompting authorities to take preemptive measures to prevent any possible attempt to evade the law.
“Dalawa ang kaniyang private jet, tatlo ang kaniyang helicopter, tatlo ang kaniyang yate. So he is a flight risk, so gagawin namin ang lahat ahead of time para preemptive,” Remulla said.
The Sandiganbayan had earlier issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Romualdez amid concerns raised by the Office of the Ombudsman that he could leave the country through unofficial channels.
Remulla assured the public that police are closely monitoring Romualdez, who is currently under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and is now considered a person deprived of liberty.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued arrest warrants against Romualdez and three other accused on Monday, hours after the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges in connection with the alleged P7.4-billion flood control kickbacks.
Romualdez remains confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City due to an alleged cardiovascular ailment and unstable blood pressure following an anxiety attack.
Remulla said authorities are now seeking formal custody of Romualdez and plan to transfer him to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame, where he can remain under official police custody.
“In the meantime, kami po ay magmo-motion for custody ni Martin Romualdez para dalhin sa Camp Crame hospital. ’Yan po ang initial step namin para under the formal custody,” he said.
The Interior secretary also said Romualdez was informed of his Miranda rights and had his fingerprints and mugshot taken Monday night while confined at the hospital. He was reportedly photographed wearing only the orange shirt on top because of medical equipment attached to him.
Asked whether Romualdez’s hospitalization shortly after the case was raffled was merely an isolated incident, Remulla said he does not believe in “coincidence.”
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing efforts to locate the other accused in the case, including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, whom the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said is believed to be hiding in France.
