Sandiganbayan orders 90-day suspension of Martin Romualdez over flood control plunder case

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 10, 2026

Photo Courtesy: AP

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the 90-day preventive suspension of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, barring him from performing his duties as Leyte’s first district representative while his plunder case is pending.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division issued the suspension order on Tuesday, November 10. The period will begin once Romualdez receives the resolution.

Sandiganbayan Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma confirmed that the order directs Romualdez to cease and desist from performing the functions of his office or any other public position.

The court also instructed its clerk to send a copy of the resolution to the House Speaker through the Office of the Secretary General. The House must report any action taken within five days of receiving the order.

Romualdez is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas over a P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged kickbacks from government flood control and infrastructure projects between 2022 and 2025.

The Ombudsman accused Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co of receiving billions of pesos in commissions from contractors involved in government projects.

Romualdez has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

The preventive suspension is a legal measure imposed while the case is ongoing. It is not a conviction or a final determination of his guilt.