Following the arraignment of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday for a plunder case, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that the Sandiganbayan’s Hold Departure Order (HDO) against the lawmaker is now being enforced.
Aside from Romualdez, the HDO is also in effect against his three other co-accused in the case,in relation to the alleged receipt of kickbacks from the flood control corruption scandal.
Among them are resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation, and Romualdez’s former staff member, Joselyn Serenio.
It can be recalled that on September 7, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the HDO along with arrest warrants against the individuals.
Despite this, the BI confirmed that Serenio had already left the country before the HDO was issued and enforced.
According to the BI, it cannot publicly disclose Serenio’s travel details in compliance with the Data Privacy Act.
Co has been out of the Philippines since 2025 and is considered a fugitive due to an active arrest warrant.
Of the four accused, only Romualdez and Serenio are currently in the Philippines.
In connection with this, the BI assured the public that it will strictly enforce the HDO and carry out its other immigration mandates.