Romualdez aide in plunder case left PH before travel ban — BI
MANILA, Philippines — The personal assistant of former House speaker Martin Romualdez, who is charged with him in a P7.44-billion plunder case, left the Philippines before the Sandiganbayan banned them from exiting the country, according to the Bureau of Immigration.
Joselyn Tragua Serenio left the country prior to the issuance of a hold departure order, the bureau said. However, another co-accused, Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation, remains in the Philippines.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the hold departure order on September 7.
The BI did not give details of Serenio's travel or other personal information, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
Romualdez, Serenio, Guevarra and former House appropriations chair Elizaldy Co are the persons accused in the P7.4 billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.
The former House speaker pleaded not guilty yesterday and his defense team plans to file a petition for bail.
The Ombudsman filed charges against Romualdez for allegedly benefiting from kickbacks of anomalous flood control works from 2022 to 2025.
The charge sheet says some of the money was delivered to properties owned, occupied or linked to Romualdez, where Serenio and others allegedly acting for him received it.
Guevarra, meanwhile, is accused of facilitating simulated dollar-to-peso transactions through Samchan.
Romualdez is the only one of the four in custody. Co is in Europe, and a request for an Interpol red notice against him is still pending.
Sandiganbayan found probable cause against all four accused and recommended no bail.
Romualdez's arrest is the most high-profile yet in the flood control scandal, which drew massive public outrage last year and set off a series of protests.
abtestabtest Escudero hits prosecutors for violating sub judice rule By Bella Cariaso | 20 hours ago Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday issued show-cause orders against members of the House prosecution panel... Headlines Defense may question voting threshold rule before SC By Bella Cariaso | 20 hours ago The defense team said questioning the ruling of the Senate impeachment court on the threshold to convict Vice President... Headlines Ex-CJs to Senate: You decide on 16-vote threshold By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 20 hours ago Three former chief justices stated that the two-thirds threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte is not fixed at 16... Headlines DOF seeks to triple sugary drinks tax By Renalyn Ramirez | 8 hours ago The Department of Finance said higher taxes on sugary drinks is not only a revenue collection policy, but also a health ... Headlines Panganiban to Risa: You’re single... I’m single By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 20 hours ago Retired chief justice Artemio Panganiban drew some uncomfortable laughter in the plenary yesterday after teasing Sen. Risa... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Duterte appears in good shape at ICC hearing — Palace MV June Aster communication system failed before fire warning, says captain WATCH: Castro calls VP Sara succession claim ‘absolutely delusional’ Philippines joins outcry over Israel's settlement plan in West Bank abtest Palace leaves impeachment vote threshold to Senate By Renalyn Ramirez | 4 hours ago The Palace backed the former Supreme Court justices' view that the decision on the voting threshold for convicting Vice... Headlines BuCor says no South Korean drug lord escaped via drone By Ian Laqui | 4 hours ago The Bureau of Corrections has ruled out the possibility of inmates escaping from penal facilities using unmanned aerial ... Headlines Ridon issued show cause for impeachment comments By Cristina Chi | 4 hours ago The impeachment court has yet to determine whether the House prosecutor violated Rule 18. Headlines Marcoleta says no furlough bid for impeachment threshold vote By Ian Laqui | 5 hours ago The detained senator insists the impeachment threshold is already in the Constitution. Headlines Recommended Ex-CJs to Senate: You decide on 16-vote threshold 20 hours ago Three former chief justices stated that the two-thirds threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte is not fixed at 16... HeadlinesPANGANIBANSENATOR Defense may question voting threshold rule before SC 20 hours ago The defense team said questioning the ruling of the Senate impeachment court on the threshold to convict Vice President... HeadlinesSARA House adopts Senate bill on BSKE 20 hours ago In a move to hasten the process, the House of Representatives has decided to adopt the approved measure of the Senate providing... HeadlinesBSKE Fluid vote threshold open to abuse – Azcuna 20 hours ago A changeable vote threshold can be easily manipulated by ruling political factions, retired Supreme Court associate justice... HeadlinesDUTERTESARA Escudero hits prosecutors for violating sub judice rule 20 hours ago Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday issued show-cause orders against members of the House prosecution panel... HeadlinesCHIZ ESCUDERO next Recommended Ex-CJs to Senate: You decide on 16-vote threshold Three former chief justices stated that the two-thirds threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte is not fixed at 16 of the 24 senators, and said the decision ultimately lies with the Senate. 20 hours ago PANGANIBAN SENATOR Defense may question voting threshold rule before SC The defense team said questioning the ruling of the Senate impeachment court on the threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte before the Supreme Court remains an option. 20 hours ago SARA House adopts Senate bill on BSKE In a move to hasten the process, the House of Representatives has decided to adopt the approved measure of the Senate providing five-year terms for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials as the BSK elections on Nov. 2 draw near. 20 hours ago BSKE Fluid vote threshold open to abuse – Azcuna A changeable vote threshold can be easily manipulated by ruling political factions, retired Supreme Court associate justice Adolfo Azcuna warned yesterday, as he defended maintaining the required votes needed to convict an impeachable official at two-thirds of all 24 senators. 20 hours ago DUTERTE SARA Escudero hits prosecutors for violating sub judice rule Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero yesterday issued show-cause orders against members of the House prosecution panel amid alleged violation of the sub judice ruling in the ongoing impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte. 20 hours ago CHIZ ESCUDERO OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
