Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez pleads not guilty during his arraignment via videoconference from the Quezon City Jail in Payatas on September 16, 2026. Aaron Favila, AP Photos/ Pool
MANILA — Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez himself will testify in the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s plunder trial against him, his lawyer Ade Fajardo said on Friday.
The former House speaker has been detained at the Quezon City Jail over the alleged P7.4-billion kickback scheme in government projects. His co-accused include former congressman and fugitive Zaldy Co.
“He wants his day to defend himself in court and he will most likely testify at he’s also about to be listed as an actual witness when it is the turn of the defense to present evidence,” Fajardo told reporters after a pre-trial hearing.
Fajardo also said Co’s purported bagmen who recanted that they delivered suitcases of kickback money to Romualdez could also be presented as witness.
“We are actually going to list them ‘yung mga nag-recant, including possibly si Orly Guteza because he’s the one who said in his recanting affidavit that this was all a setup, he was made to sign as the so-called missing link,” the lawyer said.
During the pre-trial hearing, Romualdez attended via video conference. His camp said they are set to file the petition for bail on Sept. 28.
The bail hearing is scheduled on Oct. 12 and every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. until Nov. 12.
The prosecution said it would present 23 witnesses for the bail hearing, while the defense could have three to four witnesses.
The defense asked whether the number of prosecution’s witnesses for the bail hearing be trimmed or make 23 witnesses the maximum, considering the proceeding is bound within 30 days.
The prosecution stuck with 23, explaining that they need them to show that the evidence of guilt is strong.
The trial proper will start on Nov. 23 and every Monday to Wednesday thereafter. The prosecution will have 73 witnesses, which may possibly include former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan. The defense, meanwhile, will have 41.
Lawyers Gabrielle Rondain-Kapunan and Harvery Padilla entered a special appearance for Co, who remains at-large.
Rondain-Kapunan said they maintain communication with their client. But they have no knowledge whether or not Co knows about his standing arrest warrant and if he intends to appear in court.
She added that they have no intention to seek relief from the court at the moment.
Co is also facing malversation and graft charges in relation to an alleged substandard road dike project in Oriental Mindoro.
Romualdez co-accused has left Philippines – BI
SEARCH FOR ZALDY CO, OTHER ACCUSED
Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson Karl Miranda said they would order the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to inform the court on their actions taken to serve the arrest warrants against Co and the two other accused and when the attempts were made.
They are also directed to apprise the court if the accused are trying to evade arrest.
The PNP-CIDG and NBI are also tasked to submit regular reports on the implementation of the warrants of arrest.
Romualdez pleads not guilty to plunder
MATTER OF PUBLIC CONCERN
Meanwhile, Miranda said the judicial proceedings are conducted in open court as the administration of justice is a matter of public concern.
He called on both parties to allow the judicial process to take its course and address objections through remedies.
Miranda also said restraint and respect should be observed.
The chairperson’s remark came after Romualdez’s lawyer Jose Roy said in a media interview that the lawmaker was seemingly put in a tight spot with the release of the hold-departure order. Roy also questioned why the court did not waive the reading of information.
For his part, Fajardo said they appreciate the court’s sentiments.
“Ang mga abogado ay officers of the court at kailangan maging magalang sa lahat ng pagkakataon patungkol sa mga issuances ng korte,” Fajardo said.
ROMUALDEZ’S HEALTH
Romualdez, Fajardo said, is still in the jail’s infirmary, hence, the request to attend the pre-trial via videoconference.
”His conditions are still present and persisting,” the lawyer said.
“Normally, ang mga akusado po, especially the detention prisoners, they welcome lumabas para kahit ilang minuto man lang from the confines of detention. In the case kasi ni Congressman Romualdez, medyo risky pa rin ‘yung transport,” added Fajardo.
Romualdez’s illnesses include hypertension and diabetes.
Fajardo also said the former speaker is saddened with his current circumstance.
”Our normal situation is a state of freedom and liberty,” the counsel said.
Court orders Romualdez transferred to QC jail