Romualdez camp rebuts suspension as presumption of guilt ruling

MANILA — Romualdez's defense counsel rejected characterizations that the preventive suspension imposed by the Sandiganbayan Third Division amounts to an admission of guilt in the plunder case against the former legislator. Atty. Ade Fajardo stated Wednesday that the suspension order should not be construed as prejudicial to Romualdez's position, given that his trial proceedings remain active and ongoing. The Sandiganbayan had handed down the 90-day preventive suspension order the previous day, a standard procedural measure distinct from a guilty verdict. Fajardo's statements underscore the defense's distinction between preventive suspension—a temporary measure—and conviction, emphasizing that Romualdez maintains his presumption of innocence pending trial outcome. The case marks one of several high-profile prosecutions involving former government officials before the anti-graft court.