Ex Philippine Speaker Romualdez Arrested in Plunder Case

A plunder case has been filed against former Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdez and three other individuals, leading to arrest warrants and the apprehension of Romualdez. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case on Monday, September 7, 2026, accusing the former speaker and his co-defendants of unlawfully amassing wealth through commissions, kickbacks, and other financial benefits. The allegations center on Romualdez's alleged role in a corruption scheme involving funds for government projects, particularly flood control and infrastructure works. Prosecutors claim that between 2022 and 2025, the accused received at least 7.44 billion pesos (approximately US$118 million) in illicit gains from contractors and other parties with interests in these projects. Some reports suggest the broader investigation into the scheme could involve as much as 56 billion pesos in ill-gotten wealth. Funds were purportedly delivered through suitcases carried by bodyguards. The Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' antigraft court, found probable cause and issued arrest warrants for Romualdez and former Ako Bicol lawmaker Zaldy Co on Monday. Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.