The Office of the Ombudsman has referred a money laundering complaint against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, with Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla now awaiting the AMLC’s move to seek a freeze order before the Court of Appeals.
Remulla disclosed the development at a press briefing Tuesday, framing the asset freeze bid as a measure to preserve what he described as funds that may have been misappropriated from public infrastructure projects.
“He’s being investigated for money laundering. That’s why we’re seeking a freeze order, so we can secure assets that rightfully belong to the nation,” Remulla said in Filipino.
Romualdez’s legal team, however, pushed back on the characterization. Lawyer-spokesman Ade Fajardo said no freeze order application or issuance has been formally communicated to their side.
“As of this time, we have received no official notice of any such application or order. Any statement suggesting that a freeze order is imminent remains speculative,” Fajardo said.
Separately, Remulla confirmed he denied Romualdez’s request for permission to fly to Singapore for a medical checkup, citing an existing immigration lookout bulletin order tied to the flood control controversy and the ongoing nature of the investigation. He noted the timing of the request raised concerns.
“It was very coincidental that after Zaldy Co was arrested in Europe, Romualdez would suddenly want to leave the country. We might end up with nothing here. Everyone that we’re trying to hold to account just gets away from our jurisdiction. We’re just being careful,” Remulla said.
Co, who is at the center of the flood control anomaly probe, was reportedly held in Prague over irregular travel documents.
Despite the Ombudsman’s denial, House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil’s office — acting “by authority of the Speaker” — issued a travel clearance covering April 20 to May 4, citing a follow-up procedure related to an angioplasty. The document stipulated that Romualdez must return immediately after the medical procedure and remain reachable for any urgent official or legal matters during his absence.
Fajardo maintained that no outright travel ban is in place. “What exists, if any, is an immigration lookout bulletin order, which does not prohibit travel but simply requires prior coordination with authorities,” he said, adding that the travel authority granted by the House “underscores his full compliance with the law and negates any insinuation of flight risk.”
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that, as of Tuesday, Romualdez had made no recorded attempt to depart the country.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano confirmed the filing of a petition before the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division for a precautionary hold departure order against Romualdez, though no ruling has been issued. “They do not want the respondent to abscond and evade office processes,” Clavano said.
Remulla noted he had previously restricted 77 individuals — including senior officials and members of Congress — from traveling abroad in November last year over the same flood control investigation.
