Sandiganbayan told: 136 witnesses so far in Romualdez plunder case

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 136 witnesses so far will testify before the Sandiganbayan Third Division in favor and against during former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s bail hearing and trial for his plunder case.

Prosecutors and Romualdez’s lawyers made this known on Friday during pretrial proceedings of the plunder case stemming from alleged kickbacks worth over P7 billion.

The trial for the main case will begin on Nov. 23 and every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday thereafter, according to the court order.

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As for the main trial, prosecution said they will present 73 witnesses in the main trial.

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READ: Martin Romualdez to testify in his plunder case in Sandiganbayan

Associate Justice Karl Miranda, the chair of Third Division, was surprised by the number of the witnesses of the prosecution.

“I am sure the defense will ask if the 73 [witnesses] is necessary,” Miranda said. 

“If it (the witness’ testimony) is corroborative, maybe you can dispense with them and the parties could stipulate,” he told the prosecution.

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The defense team, on the other hand, will have 40 witnesses, including Romualdez himself, in their presentation of evidence during the trial.

Miranda said the prosecution is given 74 trial dates for their presentation of evidence, while the defense were given 41.

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Bail hearing

Romualdez will also file a petition for bail on Monday, Sept. 28.

The court then set his bail hearings on  Oct. 12, 2026, and shall proceed every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday thereafter.

A total of 23 witnesses will be presented by the prosecution during Romualdez’s bail hearing.

Romualdez’s lawyer Rachel Ann Pomoy asked if that number of prosecution witnesses for bail hearings are necessary, noting that the bail hearings are summary in nature.

“Maybe they can trim it down further given the time that we have,” Pomoy said, but she later said, “or make the 23 maximum and no further additional witnesses.”

Romualdez told to appear 

The court, meanwhile, required Romualdez to appear in the first day of bail hearing and sign the pretrial order containing these number of witnesses.

“Accused Romualdez is required to be present and sign the pre-trial order during the initial bail hearing on Oct. 12, 2026, at 8:30 in the morning,” the order stated.

READ: Sandiganbayan calls out Martin Romualdez lawyers over media remarks

Romualdez attended the pretrial proceeding via teleconferencing at New Quezon City Jail in Baragay Payatas.

On Sept. 7, an arrest warrant was issued by this court against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two others for plunder involving alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion. 

The amount allegedly came from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, according to prosecutors.

The Leyte representative had been hospitalized for almost a week before being jailed at the New Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory on Sept. 14.