Martin Romualdez respects transfer to QC jail, maintains innocence

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Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday said he respected the Sandiganbayan’s order to transfer him to the Quezon City Jail, but maintained that he is innocent.

“I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“I maintain my innocence. Haharapin ko ang kaso. Sasagutin ko ang mga paratang,” he added.

(I maintain my innocence. I will face the case. I will answer the allegations.)

Romualdez extended his gratitude to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital.

He said he will continue to follow the advice of his doctors.

“This is a difficult moment for me and my family. But I will face the days ahead with dignity, with faith in God, and with confidence in the truth,” he said.

Romualdez was transferred to the PGH in Manila from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Saturday morning.

Authorities served the arrest warrant against him at Cardinal Santos Medical Center over plunder charges in connection with flood control projects.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan a P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez, former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, who is the personal assistant of Romualdez, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation.

“By repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least 15 occasions, commissions, shares, percentages. kickbacks, "commitments." and/or other pecuniary benefits aggregating at least P7.4 billion by reason or on account of the respective public offices and positions of Romualdez and Co, including monies derived from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, which monies were delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other persons acting for and in his behalf,” the criminal information read. —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA News