Romualdez camp slams BI ‘fake news’ that he tried to leave PH

Martin Romualdez (left) and Joel Anthony Viado (INQUIRER FILES) Lawyers of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez want the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to apologize for what they called “patently false” reports that the former Speaker had attempted to leave the country. But BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said his agency “rejects the allegation that it disseminated false or fabricated information” regarding Romualdez’s travel plans. In a statement on Friday, Romualdez’s spokesperson Ade Fajardo said the Solis Medina Fajardo & Malilong Law Offices had sent a demand letter to Viado, pointing out that the information cited by the Office of the Ombudsman about Romualdez’s alleged attempt to leave the Philippines came from the BI. Article continues after this advertisement “Rep. Romualdez is constrained to register his strongest objection and protest against the circulation by the Bureau of false and unverified reports, specifically its supposed receipt of ‘information’ regarding purported plans of Rep. Romualdez to leave the country,” the lawyers said in their July 24 letter, as cited by Fajardo. “These reports are patently false, misleading and gravely prejudicial to Rep. Romualdez and the proceedings pending before the Sandiganbayan in People v. Romualdez, Case No. E-SB-26-PHDO-0002,” the letter said. ‘Public impression’ According to Fajardo, the letter was prompted by a July 21 statement attributed to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval stating that the agency had “received information that there were plans [by Romualdez] that did not push through.” This was cited by the Office of the Ombudsman amid the plunder complaints being prepared against the former Speaker, allegedly in connection with the flood control scandal. Romualdez’s lawyers said: “By their plain import, the confirmation attributed to the Bureau create[d] the unmistakable public impression that Rep. Romualdez attempted to flee the country to evade the jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan and the pending criminal investigation against him.” Article continues after this advertisement “This is a grave accusation with no basis in fact, and it directly undermines Rep. Romualdez’s constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” they added. Hold departure order On April 20, Romualdez’s successor, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, granted his request to go abroad for an angioplasty follow-up examination. Article continues after this advertisement But the trip did not push through as the Sandiganbayan’s Seventh Division on April 22 issued a precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) against Romualdez. His lawyers said matters regarding the PHDO are sub judice and should not be “subjects of public comment, discussion or speculation.” “At no time has Rep. Romualdez taken any action to evade any lawful court order or judicial process, or to place himself beyond the reach of Philippine authorities. He has consistently respected the institutions of government and has subjected himself to legal process where he is called to answer,” they said. Another lawyer of Romualdez, Elaine Atienza, said the former Speaker is ready to face the possible charges against him. In his statement, Viado said the agency responded to legitimate media inquiries, emphasizing that it only provides factual information within the agency’s mandate. “We remain committed to providing honest, accurate and responsible public information while respecting due process and the constitutional rights of all persons,” he said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “The Bureau’s response referred to information available to the Bureau at the time and was issued solely in response to legitimate media inquiries. The Bureau did not initiate the public discussion on the matter,” Viado also said. INQ