The Sandiganbayan denied the request of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to lift the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) issued against him, ruling that the restriction will remain in effect.

In a decision released by the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division, the panel rejected Romualdez’s motion seeking to recall the PHDO issued on April 22.

The court said the former speaker failed to present sufficient justification to overturn the order, stressing that medical reasons alone do not outweigh the risk of flight, especially given the seriousness of the allegations he is facing.

According to the ruling, Romualdez did not submit medical records or an abstract to support his request, despite citing the need to travel abroad for treatment.

Romualdez had earlier secured travel authority from House Speaker Faustino Dy III for a four-day medical checkup in Singapore, but the court said this did not adequately support his motion to lift the travel restriction.

The Sandiganbayan underscored that the charges against Romualdez are serious and carry a high probability of flight risk, warranting the continued enforcement of the PHDO.

The development comes after Ombudsman Boying Remulla announced on May 26 that his office is preparing what he described as the “grandest case” to be filed against the former House leader.

The case is reportedly linked to alleged irregularities involving billions of pesos in flood control projects.