For a man who has controlled the political life of a district, province, and most of the Eastern Visayas region for many years, losing that hold and facing a dark future is deeply depressing.
His attending physicians at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center reported observing the depression.
Former Speaker and Congressman Martin Romualdez of the First District of Leyte is now in the custody of the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
A Sandiganbayan case, coupled with a police arrest and imprisonment, sends a powerful message that can confuse people about what happens next.
The scenario is bleak from his perspective. Facing a plunder charge for allegedly receiving 7.4 billion pesos in public funds for infrastructure projects means he will be imprisoned and tried in court, which is unfolding now. To compound the gravity of the situation, the charge is non-bailable.
The Ombudsman says there are more cases since they estimate the total amount plundered is 56 billion pesos. He allegedly received 2 billion pesos a month in plundered funds from 2022 to 2025.
Since he is in prison, he cannot return to Leyte and talk with his constituents. In short, he is not coming back. He will not be able to continue doing his job as Congressman. He may never set foot in Leyte again.
Actions he used to do when he was in his district: hold meetings with local leaders, make decisions on projects, monitor projects in his district, and, in the months ahead of the elections, decide who the administration will support in the local elections. He cannot do these anymore.
The situation alarms many who depend on Congressman Romualdez for various kinds of support. In his role, he has helped thousands of people and local politicians.
All of that seems to be gone now, part of history. Thousands lost a lifeline, or at least stand to lose it.
In past issues, I mentioned that government projects could be delayed, and some projects may not proceed. This can include the completion of the Tacloban City Airport Development, the causeways and bridge from the airport to central Tacloban, the Tacloban–Palo Diversion Road and Flood Control Project, the Babatngon Transhipment Port, and the second San Juanico Bridge.
All of these need billions of pesos more in funding. Without Congressman Romualdez, can these projects get the funding they need?
It is a waiting game now. The judicial process takes its course; Congressman Romualdez will face the charges. It will be a difficult uphill process considering the evidence that has been compiled by the Ombudsman, enough to file the case and allow the Sandiganbayan to take jurisdiction.
This is drama in the extreme. This is drama in real life. Right now, an appropriate background song is "It Hurts to Say Goodbye." I like Vera Lynn’s version.
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