The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday, September 7, issued warrants of arrest and hold departure orders (HDOs) against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, and two other accused in a plunder case involving an alleged P7.4-billion flood control kickback scheme.
The case names Romualdez, Co, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra as accused.
The Sandiganbayan said the warrants and hold departure orders were issued after the Third Division personally evaluated the records of the case.
“The issuance of a warrant of arrest signifies only that, after personally evaluating the records, the Court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged,” the court said in its order.
The court emphasized that the finding of probable cause does not amount to a determination of guilt.
“It does not constitute a determination of guilt,” the Sandiganbayan said, stressing that all the accused continue to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until their guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt following a full and impartial trial.
The plunder case was filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with alleged irregularities in flood control projects involving billions of pesos in public funds.
The arrest warrant against Romualdez was issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday in relation to the P7.4-billion plunder case. Co and two other individuals are likewise accused in the case.
The Third Division is composed of Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda as chairperson, with Associate Justices Ronald B. Moreno and Fritz Bryn Anthony M. Delos Santos as members.
The Sandiganbayan further called on all parties to cooperate in ensuring that the proceedings are conducted “speedily, fairly, orderly, and with full respect for the rule of law.”
