Sandiganbayan orders 90-day suspension of Martin Romualdez - GMA Network

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the 90-day suspension of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is currently detained over a P7.4-billion plunder case.

Sandiganbayan Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma confirmed the suspension order in a social media update by GMA News reporter Maki Pulido.

The resolution directs Romualdez, the incumbent Leyte 1st District representative, to cease and desist from performing his official functions for 90 days from receipt of the order.

“The court issued a resolution ordering the suspension pendente lite of former speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez for a period of 90 days from receipt of the resolution,” Pulma told reporters.

The lawmaker's suspension pendente lite is a preventive measure while the criminal proceedings are ongoing.

“The resolution orders the former speaker to cease and desist from the functions of his office or any other office,” he added.

The anti-graft court also directed its clerk of court to furnish a copy of the resolution to the House Speaker through the Office of the Secretary General.

It further ordered the House to inform the court of any action taken within five days of receiving the resolution.

On Wednesday, Romualdez' camp said the 90-day preventive suspension does not mean there was a finding of guilt.

They added that the Sandiganbayan itself acknowledged that Romualdez's alleged participation in plunder and receipt of supposed kickbacks have yet to be established during trial.

“The court has not found Martin guilty of plunder. It has not established that he received a single peso in illegal commissions or kickbacks,” Romualdez's counsel Atty. Ade Fajardo said in a statement.

Romualdez respects the court's ruling and will evaluate available legal remedies, Fajardo added.

The former speaker is facing a plunder case over allegations that he and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co received at least P7.44 billion in kickbacks from contractors and other entities involved in government flood control, infrastructure and other projects from 2022 to 2025.

The Ombudsman alleged that the two lawmakers received commissions and other financial benefits in at least 15 transactions, with some of the proceeds supposedly laundered through shell corporations, financial intermediaries and property acquisitions.

Romualdez has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The former House Speaker was arrested on Sept. 7 at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he was confined when authorities served the Sandiganbayan warrant.

He was transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas on Sept. 14 following a medical assessment at the Philippine General Hospital. — MCG/KG, GMA News

Follow GMA News Online on Facebook for real-time news and developments in the Philippines and around the world.