The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines —A spokesman for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez said they will question the Precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) issued to his client by the Sandiganbayan. The anti-graft court issued the order on Wednesday night, saying that the Office of the Ombudsman finds probable cause for the respondent to fly out of the Philippines to evade arrest. The former speaker is being investigated for allegations of plunder, direct bribery and malversation in relation to the flood control scandal. In a statement, lawyer Ade Fajardo said they acknowledged the issuance of the order against his client. "At the outset, we categorically clarify: Rep. Romualdez is in the Philippines and has not left the country. Any report or insinuation that he has fled is false and irresponsible," Fajardo said. Fajardo said that Romualdez followed the proper process by seeking and securing necessary travel authority, and coordinated in good faith with the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration. Romualdez Fajardo said, was looking for a "brief, long-overdue four-day medical check-up with his attending physician in Singapore," after his angioplasty surgery. "This is fully consistent with his conduct from the very beginning—one of cooperation, transparency, and respect for legal processes. Unfortunately, this legitimate act has been twisted to create a prejudicial narrative that he intended to flee," Fajardo said. Fajardo reiterated that his client would "avail of all appropriate legal remedies to question the issuance of this order before the proper forum.": "Rep. Romualdez remains committed to facing these allegations squarely," Fajardo said.
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