The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the suspension of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Rom Aldez for 90 days pending the outcome of a plunder case that alleges he accumulated ₱7.4 billion in ill‑gotten wealth from infrastructure projects. In a statement released on Tuesday, the clerk of the Third Division confirmed that the court issued a resolution directing the suspension “pendente lite” of Rom Aldez for a period of 90 days from the receipt of the resolution. The court also ordered the lawmaker to “cease and desist” from performing the functions of his office. Rom Aldez is the incumbent representative of the 1st congressional district of Leyte. The clerk further noted that the resolution required Rom Aldez to provide a copy of the document to the office of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy through the lower chamber’s Secretary General Cheloy Garafil. The office was instructed to inform the court of the actions taken regarding the resolution within five days of receipt. Rom Aldez was charged with plunder by the Office of the Ombudsman on 7 September, and the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant on the same day. Authorities located him at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was confined after reportedly experiencing chest pain and breathing difficulties. Within a week, the Third Division directed law enforcement to transfer and commit Rom Aldez to the New Quezon City Jail – Male Dormitory on 14 September. The complaint also names former congressman Zaldy Co, a member of Rom Aldez’s household staff, and the president of a money‑changer company. All three remain at large. The Third Division is conducting bail hearings on Rom Aldez’s case. While respondents charged with plunder are generally non‑bailable, the court may grant provisional liberty if the evidence presented in the hearings does not meet the threshold required to deny bail. For comparison, former senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla posted bail of ₱1 million on 31 July for a pending malversation case, following a 2‑1 decision by the Third Division. The Daily Tribune has requested a comment from Rom Aldez’s camp regarding the development.
Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune