The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc has dismissed the petition for certiorari filed by former House Speaker and Congressman Martin Romualdez challenging the preliminary investigation conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a press release on Wednesday, November 4, the High Court said it also denied Romualdez's request for a preliminary hold departure order and freeze order, as well as his allegations concerning the use of inadmissible evidence.

The SC likewise rejected his plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction seeking to stop the Ombudsman's investigation.

The High Court ruled that the petition had become moot following the filing of a plunder case against Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan, where he had already been arraigned and entered a not guilty plea.