Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA (2ND UPDATE) - The United States has revoked the diplomatic and tourist visas issued to Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.</p><p>In a message to ABS-CBN News, the Philippine envoy confirmed the cancellation of the visas but said he had not been provided further information by U.S. authorities.</p><p>&quot;All I can say is it&#x27;s confirmed. I don&#x27;t have any details,&quot; Ambassador Romualdez said.</p><p>Asked whether the revocation covered both diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to the former House Speaker, the ambassador replied:  &quot;All visas issued.&quot;</p><p>The Philippine envoy is a cousin of the former House Speaker.</p><p>The US Embassy in the Philippines has not publicly commented on the reported visa revocation. Under longstanding policy, U.S. authorities generally do not disclose details involving individual visa records.</p><p>The former House Speaker faces legal troubles in the Philippines, including an ongoing criminal investigation related to the alleged multibillion-peso flood control fund controversy. </p><p>The Sandiganbayan earlier denied a motion filed by the Leyte lawmaker to lift the precautionary travel ban issued against him as he faces an ongoing investigation into the alleged flood control scam.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/3/-sandiganbayan-junks-romualdez-bid-to-lift-travel-ban-1249">Sandiganbayan junks Martin Romualdez bid to lift travel ban</a></div><p>In April, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted the Office of the Ombudsman’s application for a precautionary hold departure (PHDO) against Romualdez as he faces investigation over an alleged kickback scheme involving flood control projects.</p><p>No formal charges have yet been filed against the former House leader.</p><p>In his appeal, Romualdez argued that the complaint lacked credible evidence linking him to the crimes and called the allegations &quot;purely on speculation and conjecture.&quot;</p><p>He stated that the prosecution&#x27;s theory relied on a sweeping assumption that he exercised influence over the budget process and “supposedly instructed former Rep. Zaldy S. Co... to collect and transmit funds purportedly derived from flood control projects&quot;.</p><p>He also sought a temporary lifting of the travel restriction for an &quot;overdue&quot; medical consultation in Singapore following an angioplasty.</p><p>Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla also earlier said they are preparing a money laundering case and a master case for conspiracy to defraud the national treasury, which includes a plunder charge against the former House Speaker.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/26/ombudsman-says-preparing-grandest-case-vs-romualdez-1425">Ombudsman says preparing case vs Romualdez over &#x27;grandest&#x27; conspiracy to defraud gov&#x27;t</a></div><p>In its verified ex parte application, the prosecution previously argued that Romualdez is a flight risk due to his access to a diplomatic passport, extensive international contacts, and the means to travel quickly.</p><p>The Ombudsman also described him as the alleged mastermind of the flood control kickback scheme.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The United States has revoked the diplomatic and tourist visas issued to Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.</p>

The United States has revoked the diplomatic and tourist visas issued to Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, according to Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez.

US revokes Martin Romualdez's visas, envoy confirms

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US revokes Martin Romualdez's visas, envoy confirms

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 05, 2026 05:44 PM PHT

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Updated June 05, 2026 06:25 PM PHT

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Martin Romualdez

US visa

Jose Manuel Romualdez

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