The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives authorized its former speaker Martin Romualdez to travel to Singapore for a check-up even after the Office of the Ombudsman rejected his request. "As requested, travel clearance is hereby granted to the Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Representative, 1st District, Leyte, in connection with his personal trip to Singapore from 20 April to 04 May 2026," said House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. "This clearance is issued predicated upon the Honorable Representative's commitment to return to the Philippines forthwith following his medical procedure. It is understood that the Representative shall maintain accessibility for any urgent official functions or legal proceedings during his absence," Garafil said. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that "because we have a bulletin, a lookout order with Immigration [...], we did not respond favorably to the request that he be allowed to leave." Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said in a statement on Tuesday that the immigration lookout bulletin order did not bar travel "but simply requires prior coordination with authorities." "In fact, Rep. Romualdez sought travel authority in all good faith—and this authority has been granted," Fajardo said. "This underscores his full compliance with the law and negates any insinuation of flight risk." In the briefing, Remulla said his office endorsed a complaint to the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and that his office was waiting for the AMLC to seek a freeze order on Romualdez. Fajardo said the AMLC "must file a formal application before the Court of Appeals, supported by evidence, before any freeze order may be issued." "As of this time, we have received no official notice of any such application or order. Any statement suggesting that a freeze order is imminent remains speculative", he said.
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