Romualdez to seek bail from Sandigan today

MANILA, Philippines — Former speaker Martin Romualdez is expected to ask the Sandiganbayan to grant him bail over the various charges against him linked to P7.4 billion worth of alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.

Two of the charges against Romualdez normally do not warrant bail: plunder and malversation. But the Sandiganbayan recently allowed former senator Bong Revilla to post bail on his plunder case.

The camp of the Leyte first district lawmaker “manifested his intent to file his petition for bail on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026,” according to an order from the anti-graft court’s Third Division.

The court will hold hearings on the petition every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from Oct. 12 to Nov. 12.

The prosecution said it would present 23 witnesses during the bail hearing, while the defense would counter with three to four.

Romualdez would be “required to be present and sign the pre-trial order during the initial bail hearing on Oct. 12,” the Sandiganbayan also declared.

The trial proper for the plunder, malversation and graft charges against Romualdez will commence on Nov. 23, and will be held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Based on the anti-graft court’s order, the prosecution will present its evidence within 74 trial dates, while the defense, within 41.

It said “the trial dates are final and non-transferable,” and that “no motions for postponement that are dilatory in character shall be entertained by the court.”

Romualdez has pleaded not guilty to the charge of plunder.

His co-defendants, all of whom are at large, are his household staff Joselyn Serenio, fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co and foreign exchange executive Felicito Guevarra.