Romualdez suspended 90 days on plunder charges linked to infrastructure deals

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has imposed a 90-day preventive suspension on former Speaker and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez following his indictment on plunder charges, the court announced Tuesday.

Romualdez is accused of receiving approximately P7.44 billion in kickbacks from government infrastructure projects funded through national budgets spanning 2022 to 2025, according to the antigraft court's resolution.

The preventive suspension, a standard measure in cases involving public officials, will remain in effect pending the outcome of the plunder case. The charges represent one of the more significant corruption allegations leveled against a high-ranking government official in recent years.

The former House Speaker's case underscores ongoing efforts by the Sandiganbayan to address graft allegations within the political establishment. Romualdez has represented Leyte in Congress and previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives.