Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant for Romualdez, Co in plunder case

MANILA — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday issued arrest warrants against former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, and two others in relation to allegations of plunder.

The court's action follows formal charges filed against the four individuals. According to the tribunal's order, those arrested would be detained without the option of bail, indicating the gravity of the plunder allegations.

Romualdez previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives before returning to his legislative seat representing Leyte's first congressional district. Co previously held a party-list seat in Congress through the Ako Bicol party-list organization.

The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court, handles cases involving public officials accused of corruption and related offenses. The issuance of arrest warrants signals the court's determination to proceed with the plunder case against the accused individuals.

Further details regarding the specific allegations and the identities of the two other accused individuals were not immediately available.