Juliet Pacot 
INATASAN ng Office of the Ombudsman ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan para bantayan ang mga maliliit na paliparan at pantalan matapos umanong magtangka dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez lumabas ng bansa.
“Despite a precautionary hold departure order issued by the Sandiganbayan, this office has received credible intelligence reports that former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not ceased attempting to leave the country. The office calls on all relevant agencies to make sure that this does not happen,” wika ni Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano.
Gayunpaman, itinanggi ni Atty. Elaine Atienza na tumatayong tagapagsalita ni Romualdez na nagtangkang lumabas ng bansa ang dating lider ng Kamara.
“We deny in the strongest possible way any insinuation that Rep. Romualdez has attempted to evade the legal process. Uulitin po namin: kailanman ay hindi nagtago si Rep. Romualdez,” wika ni Atty. Elaine Atienza.
“Siya po ay nasa bansa at mananatili sa bansa until such time that he will be able to clear his name,” dugtong ng abogado.
Samantala, kinumpirma rin ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) na may mga intelligence reports hinggil sa planong pagsibat ni Romualdez.
“We received information that there were plans that did not push through,” ayon kay immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval.
“The concerned party’s camp is aware of the existing derogatory records and the applicable restrictions,” dagdag pa ni Sandoval.
Babala ng kawanihan, agad na ipatutupad ng ahyensya ang batas sakaling muling magtangka ang kongresistang pinsan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Should there be any actual attempt to depart, the Bureau will enforce the law accordingly.”
Nakatakdang magsampa ng kasong plunder sa mga susunod na araw ang Office of the Ombudsman laban kay Romualdez na sinasabing mastermind sa likod ng flood control scandal.
