THE ALLEGED mastermind behind the notoriously famous flood control scandal has repeatedly tried to leave the country, according to the Office of the Ombudsman.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been attempting to leave the country, after news broke out on the supposed filing of formal charges of plunder against the Leyte congressman.
To prevent Romualdez from fleeing, the Office of the Ombudsman, he added, has already asked border security and law enforcement agencies to implement heightened controls and close monitoring over “informal channels.”
“Despite a precautionary hold departure order issued by the Sandiganbayan, this office has received credible intelligence reports that former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not ceased attempting to leave the country. The office calls on all relevant agencies to make sure that this does not happen,” Clavano said.
However, lawyer Elaine Atienza in her capacity as Romualdez’s spokesperson denied what she referred to as “mere insinuations.”
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” said Atty. Elaine Atienza, the spokesperson for Romualdez.
“Siya po ay nasa bansa at mananatili sa bansa until such time that he will be able to clear his name,” Atienza added.
The Sandiganbayan in April issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Romualdez who is being investigated over complaints of alleged plunder, direct bribery, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, indirect bribery, and money laundering.
When sought for details regarding Romualdez’s supposed attempts to leave the country, Clavano noted that the legislator, who happens to be the cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was well aware he could not leave through formal exit points.
“Watch out, dahil malamang sa hindi niyan, lalabas siya sa informal channels at hindi sa formal borders natin. May PHDO na siya, ibig sabihin niyan, hindi na po siya makakaalis gamit ang ating mga normal or formal borders—airport, seaport,” Clavano explained.
“Kung ganyan po ang intention ng isang tao na meron nang precautionary hold departure order, ang presumption natin ay hindi talaga siya dadaan sa formal borders, dahil alam niya na po e na bawal na siyang umalis.”
Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman announced the filing of two separate complaints for preliminary investigations against Romualdez for plunder and violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act complaints.
In case Romualdez flees the country while the complaints undergo preliminary investigations and fails to submit a counter-affidavit, Clavano said that such an act translates to waiver of his right to a defense, and the case will be resolved based on the allegations alone.
