Former Speaker and current Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez is set to be transferred to Payatas jail following his arrest on plunder charges. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the move, stating that Romualdez, who was arrested at a hospital, will be relocated to the facility. The arrest came hours after Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Representative Elizaldy Co were charged by the Sandiganbayan over allegations of receiving over P7 billion in kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025.
The charges against Romualdez and Co stem from accusations that they accepted bribes in exchange for approving infrastructure and development projects. The case has drawn significant attention due to the large sums involved and the high-profile nature of the accused. Authorities have not yet released further details on the specific projects or the exact amount of money allegedly involved.
Remulla emphasized that the transfer to Payatas jail is part of the legal process following the arrest. The case highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption within government projects, particularly in regions like Leyte where development initiatives have been a focus. The legal proceedings are expected to continue as authorities investigate the full extent of the alleged misconduct.
