MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has asked the Sandiganbayan to release him on bail, arguing that the evidence linking him to the alleged P7.4-billion flood control kickback scheme is not strong enough to justify his continued detention.
Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st District representative, filed a 60-page petition for bail on Monday as he remains detained at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas while facing plunder charges.
His legal team maintained that the prosecution’s evidence raises only suspicion rather than the degree of proof necessary to deny him bail in a plunder case.
Defense lawyer Ade Fajardo also maintained that Romualdez is not a flight risk and should be allowed temporary liberty while the case is being tried.
“The right to bail is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution. It serves as a vital safeguard that balances society’s interest in securing the presence of the accused at trial with the accused’s right to liberty pending adjudication,” the petition read.
Romualdez is facing plunder charges alongside former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two other accused over an alleged kickback scheme involving government flood control and other infrastructure projects.
Prosecutors allege that Romualdez and his co-accused received at least P7.4 billion in commissions, shares, kickbacks and other benefits linked to government projects funded from 2022 to 2025.
Co, meanwhile, remains at large.
Romualdez has pleaded not guilty to the charge and maintained his innocence.
The Sandiganbayan has set the start of his bail hearing for October 12 and ordered him to appear before the anti-graft court.
Under Philippine law, an accused charged with an offense punishable by reclusion perpetua is not entitled to bail as a matter of right when the evidence of guilt is strong. The court must therefore determine through bail hearings whether the prosecution’s evidence against Romualdez meets that threshold.
The plunder case will continue independently of the proceedings on his request for temporary liberty./PN
