Then House Speaker Martin Romualdez, February 5, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Former Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday reasserted his innocence and said he would face the plunder charges against him, after the Sandiganbayan ordered his jail transfer.
The court ordered Romualdez’s transfer to the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory after the Philippine General Hospital found that his risk for an impending heart attack was low and his continued inpatient confinement was not medically required.
Romualdez said he respects the court decision.
“I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed,” the lawmaker said.
“I maintain my innocence,” he added. “Haharapin ko ang kaso. Sasagutin ko ang mga paratang.”
Romualdez said that while “this is a difficult moment for me and my family,” he would “face the days ahead with dignity, with faith in God, and with confidence in the truth.”
He thanked the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital, adding that he would continue to follow the medical advice of his doctors.
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His lawyer Ade Fajardo said they would adhere to the order to transfer the lawmaker to the Payatas Jail.
“Bukas ang kalooban para sumunod sa processes ng korte… kami po ay susunod sa batas… siya (Romualdez) po ay hindi tumatakas. Siya po ay haharapin lahat ng kaso, lahat ng paratang, lahat ng mga alegasyon,” Fajardo told reporters.
He said they are ready to enter the pretrial stage of the plunder case and are prepared to challenge the evidence presented by the Ombudsman against the lawmaker.