Sandiganbayan denies Romualdez's request to lift hold order; risk of evading arrest cited

The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion of House Speaker Martin Romualdez to lift a precautionary hold-departure order (PHDO), ruling there was no sufficient basis to allow his travel abroad.

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

In a promulgation on June 1, the anti-graft court's Seventh Division said there were circumstances indicating possible intent "to evade arrest and prosecution."

The ruling was penned by Associate Justice Lorifel Latap Pahimna, chairperson of the Seventh Division, with concurrence from Associate Justices Georgina D. Hidalgo and Hans Gatestet Nocom.

Romualdez, in his motion for reconsideration filed on May 18, argued that he is not a flight risk, citing his public service record, family ties, and cooperation with investigators.

The PHDO was issued on April 22.