Appeals court issued freeze order vs Romualdez assets — Ombudsman Remulla

MANILA, Philippines — The Court of Appeals has issued a freeze order covering the assets of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez amid a widening investigation into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed.

"Si former speaker Martin Romualdez, na-freeze na 'yung kaniyang, may freeze order na. From Court of Appeals kasi doon talaga dinadala ang freeze orders ng AMLC. Diyan talaga pinakukuha ng court order," Remulla said in his radio program on Saturday, April 25, referring to petitions filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

The confirmation comes after earlier reports that the Court of Appeals had issued a freeze order dated April 23 against an unnamed “prominent incumbent legislator” and related entities over alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.

The order covers at least 25 bank accounts and 10 insurance policies under the legislator’s name, as well as assets linked to an unidentified business associate and a corporate entity. Additional financial accounts, investment holdings and real properties connected to the associate and firm were also included in the freeze.

The AMLC said the Court of Appeals found probable cause to link the assets to possible plunder, direct and indirect bribery, and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“The filing of this Petition for Freeze Order underscores the AMLC’s continuous commitment to uphold public accountability and protecting the integrity of the Philippine financial system,” AMLC Executive Director Atty. Ronel U. Buenaventura said.

The council also said it has filed multiple civil forfeiture cases before regional trial courts, with properties under provisional asset preservation orders while proceedings are ongoing.

Romualdez has yet to issue a statement on the freeze order. His office and the AMLC have not responded to requests for comment as of posting time.

The development also comes as Romualdez separately moved to have the Office of the Ombudsman disqualified from handling the flood control probe, citing alleged bias and due process concerns.

In a letter dated April 22, his lawyers from Villaraza & Angangco Law Offices said public statements by Remulla and other officials showed a “pattern of prejudgment,” arguing that the investigation had effectively been framed as a plunder case even without a formal complaint or completed preliminary inquiry.

“There is a reasonable impression that the ombudsman has already resolved to prosecute our client,” the letter said.

The camp also pointed to earlier remarks by officials, including statements referring to Romualdez as a “master plunderer,” saying these created the impression that the outcome of the probe had already been predetermined.

Romualdez’s lawyers asked the Ombudsman to inhibit from the case, warning that continued involvement would undermine due process and public confidence in the investigation.