Sandiganbayan allows Representative Romualdez to sign pre-trial order in Payatas jail

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has authorized Representative Martin Romualdez to sign his pre-trial order at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City, on October 12, the same day his petition for bail is set for hearing.

The former speaker will also be allowed to attend court hearings remotely through videoconferencing, subject to his immediate submission of an informed waiver under the court's videoconferencing guidelines.

The court, however, reserved the right to require Romualdez to appear personally whenever necessary.

Romualdez has attended previous proceedings through videoconferencing since he was transferred to the New Quezon City Jail on September 14, where he remains detained.

During a remote hearing on September 16, he pleaded not guilty to the plunder charges filed against him, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two other individuals.

The accused allegedly received more than ₱7 billion in kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025.

Romualdez filed his petition for bail on September 28, arguing that the evidence presented by the Office of the Ombudsman raised suspicions but fell short of establishing certainty and justifying his continued detention.

Under court rules, the pre-trial order documents matters discussed during pre-trial conferences, amendments permitted to pleadings, and agreements or admissions made by the parties. It also identifies the issues to be tried and guides the subsequent proceedings.