FORMER House Speaker Martin Romualdez is likely to keep his fighting stance, even as he hinted at the idea of contesting the issuance of a precautionary hold departure order, which prevented him from going to Singapore for what he claimed as a “long overdue” medical check-up.
According to Atty. Ade Fajardo, in her capacity as spokesperson, said the Leyte congressman will “avail of all appropriate legal remedies to question the issuance of this order before the proper forum.”
He also insisted that Romualdez is still in the country — “We categorically clarify… Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible.”
Fajardo assured that Romualdez, who is facing investigation over plunder, money laundering, graft links, “remains committed” to facing the allegations against him.
“Rep. Romualdez followed the proper process. He sought and secured the necessary travel authority, and coordinated in good faith with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration for a brief, long-overdue four-day medical check-up with his attending physician in Singapore,” Fajardo said.
“This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning—one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes. Unfortunately, this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee,” he added.
Romualdez’s lawyer reiterated that the former Speaker expected due process to be observed after a complaint was filed against him.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier expressed apprehension that Romualdez may no longer return had the former House leader been allowed to leave the country.
