Romualdez’s staff, co-accused in P7.4B plunder case, out of country

MANILA, Philippines — Joselyn Serenio, a former staff member of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and one of his co-accused in a P7.4-billion plunder case, is currently outside the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Thursday.

In a statement, the bureau said Serenio had already left the country before the Sandiganbayan issued a hold departure order (HDO) against Romualdez and his three co-accused.

The bureau did not disclose Serenio’s travel details or other personal information, citing the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and other applicable laws.

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READ: Arrest warrant issued vs Romualdez, Co, 2 others over plunder

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Aside from Serenio, Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, who is also co-accused in the plunder case, reportedly left the country in July 2025.

Meanwhile, Romualdez’s third co-accused, a certain Felecito Guevarra who is president of a money-changing firm, remains in the country, the BI said.

READ: Martin Romualdez charged with plunder

The bureau also said it would “strictly enforce” the HDO and take appropriate immigration measures within its mandate.

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On Sept. 7 the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant against Romualdez, Co, and the two co-accused.

The former speaker was arrested on the same day while in confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San JuanCity. He was later transferred to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas on Sept. 14 following a medical examination at the Philippine General Hospital.

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The plunder charges against the four individuals stemmed from allegations that they received around P7.4 billion in kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025. /dp