Joselito Malig

Romualdez camp demands BI to apologize, retract ‘fake news’ on alleged bid to flee country

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The camp of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday demanded that the Bureau of Immigration retract and apologize for its claim that the solon planned to leave the country.The camp called the said claim “fake news”, as it categorically denied that Romualdez had ever attempted to evade legal process.“At no time has Rep. Romualdez taken any action to evade any lawful court order or judicial process, or to place himself beyond the reach of Philippine authorities. He has consistently respected the institutions of government and has subjected himself to legal process where he is called to answer,” his legal team said.The team likewise demanded the Immigration agency to disclose the source of the alleged information, explain why it was publicly disclosed without verification, identify the officials who authorized its release, and withdraw any statement suggesting that Romualdez intended to flee the country.“Rep. Romualdez is constrained to register his strongest objection and protest against the circulation by the Bureau of Immigration (the ‘Bureau’) of false and unverified reports, specifically its supposed receipt of ‘information’ regarding purported plans of Rep. Romualdez to leave the country. These reports are patently false, misleading, and gravely prejudicial to Rep. Romualdez and the proceedings pending before the Sandiganbayan in People v. Romualdez, Case No. E-SB-26-PHDO-0002,” it also said.By releasing the statement, the legal team argued that the BI “unfairly” created the impression that Romualdez was trying to evade the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan.“By their plain import, the confirmation attributed to the Bureau create the unmistakable public impression that Rep. Romualdez attempted to flee the country to evade the jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan and the pending criminal investigation against him. This is a grave accusation with no basis in fact, and it directly undermines Rep. Romualdez’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” it also said.The demand letter was signed by Atty. Abdiel Dan E.S. Fajardo and Atty. Felix Michael U. Villa, who warned that Romualdez would pursue legal remedies should the BI fail to take corrective action.“This demand is made in the interest of ensuring that our client’s constitutional rights are protected. Failure of the Bureau to satisfactorily respond with corrective action shall constrain our client to pursue all remedies available to him under the law.”The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/20/romualdez-tried-to-leave-ph-despite-hold-departure-order-ombudsman-1726">Office of the Ombudsman</a> on Monday first said it received information that Romualdez has been trying to leave the country despite a Precautionary Hold Departure Order against him. The Bureau of Immigration then seconded this on Tuesday, adding that it also received similar information.BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the BI was informed of travel plans that ultimately did not push through.<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/21/bi-says-also-received-reports-of-alleged-romualdez-departure-plans-1023">BI says also received reports of alleged Romualdez departure plans</a></div>Romualdez is among the subjects of the Ombudsman’s investigation on alleged corruption in flood control projects.

The camp of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday demanded that the Bureau of Immigration retract and apologize for its claim that the solon planned to leave the country.

The camp of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Friday demanded that the Bureau of Immigration retract and apologize for its claim that the solon planned to leave the country.