Martin Romualdez arrested in Philippine flood scandal

Philippine police arrested Martin Romualdez, a congressman and cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his hospital bed on Monday over his alleged role in a corruption scandal involving flood control projects.

The arrest came hours after prosecutors filed a plunder case against Romualdez alleging 7.4 billion pesos, or $117.9 million, in bribes, anomalous budget insertions and project allocations.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters outside Cardinal Santos Medical Center that officers had served a warrant on the former House speaker. He said Romualdez had been brought to the private hospital after suffering from unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack.

“After we read him his rights, he is now considered a person deprived of liberty,” Remulla said.

Plunder is a non-bailable offence in the Philippines and refers to large-scale corruption punishable by life imprisonment.

Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said earlier that his client would face the allegations in court. Fajardo said Romualdez asked only for due process and a fair hearing.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said prosecutors intended to file additional cases against Romualdez and others implicated in the flood control scandal. He said the case was based on evidence and that there were “no sacred cows”.

Romualdez's co-respondents include former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, who has absconded, and several others accused of conspiring to unlawfully accumulate wealth through government funds.

Romualdez resigned as speaker of the House of Representatives in September last year after his name surfaced in the widening investigation. At the time, he said stepping down would allow investigators to work without “undue influence”. He remains a member of congress.

Over the past year, prosecutors have filed cases against several sitting and former lawmakers, public works officials and construction company representatives allegedly linked to the scheme.