FACT CHECK: Martin Romualdez remains detained in Payatas jail

The lawmaker is still in detention at the New Quezon City Jail for his multibillion-peso plunder case tied to the flood control controversy

AT A GLANCE

• Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez is falsely claimed to be out of detention and abroad, according to a Facebook post.
• Romualdez has been detained since September 14, 2026, related to a P7.44-billion plunder case.

This is AI-generated. Read the article for full context. Report any errors.

Claim: Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez is not in detention and is now out of the country.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Facebook page Makata Ng Bayan posted the claim on October 14, 2026. As of writing, it has reached over 4,700 reactions, 1,600 shares, and 700 comments.

The post included a photo of Romualdez with his cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and text labeling it as “breaking news.”

The graphic reads: “Breaking News! Martin Romualdez wala na sa kulungan nakalabas na ng Bansa! Si Marcos naman habang sabog ay naging tuta ng sindikato Kaya dapat ng lumayas at Palayasin.”

(Breaking news! Martin Romualdez is no longer in jail; he has left the country! As for Marcos, he became the puppet of a syndicate while high on drugs, so he should leave and be ousted.)

The post received mixed views in the comments section. Some criticized the Marcos administration for allowing Romualdez to flee the country, while others questioned the post’s credibility for calling for a revolt against the government.

The facts: Romualdez has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas since September 14, 2026. He was arrested over a P7.44-billion plunder case related to the flood control scandal on September 7.

The Ombudsman dubbed Romualdez a “central figure” in the scheme due to his strong influence in Congress during his time as House speaker.

His transfer to the jail was not immediately carried out after his arrest, as he was first confined at a hospital in San Juan City hours before the warrant against him was served.

In his arraignment before the Sandiganbayan on September 16, Romualdez pleaded not guilty.

His bail hearing began on October 12, and will continue every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Meanwhile, the presentation of evidence for his case is set to begin on November 23.

Previous fact checks: Rappler has previously debunked false claims revolving around the lawmaker.

• FACT CHECK: Romualdez still detained, no evidence of planned escape abroad
• FACT CHECK: Video of Marcos saying Romualdez’s arrest is ‘staged’ is AI-generated
• FACT CHECK: No evidence Romualdez has stage 4 cancer
• FACT CHECK: Romualdez did not ‘dare’ Senate to investigate him; video is AI-generated
• FACT CHECK: Video of Romualdez challenging VP Sara to face allegations is AI-generated
• FACT CHECK: Romualdez did not release USB containing budget corruption evidence vs Marcos

 – Lourence Angelo Marcellana/Rappler.com

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