Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Saturday defended its earlier statement regarding the alleged travel plans of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, rejecting accusations that it released false or misleading information.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued the statement after Romualdez’s legal counsel, Solis Medina Fajardo & Malilong Law Offices, demanded that the Bureau retract its previous response to media inquiries and issue an apology over what the camp called false information.
The controversy stemmed from the BI’s earlier statement that it had received reports regarding Romualdez’s supposed travel plans in April 2026, which the agency said did not materialize.
Romualdez’s camp denied that he attempted to leave the country to evade legal proceedings, calling the allegation “fake news” and demanding that the BI correct its statement.
The issue unfolded amid scrutiny surrounding Romualdez after the Office of the Ombudsman moved to conduct a preliminary investigation into complaints involving him and former lawmaker Zaldy Co over allegations of plunder, bribery, graft, and money laundering.
The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday first said it received information that Romualdez tried to leave the country despite a Precautionary Hold Departure Order against him.
Viado said the BI’s role is to respond to legitimate media inquiries on matters of public interest by providing information that is factual, fair, and within the scope...
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