SANDIGANBAYAN CONFIRMS ORDER TO RELEASE KOKOY’S ASSETS

The Sandiganbayan has upheld its ruling allowing the family of the late ambassador Benjamin “Kokoy” Romualdez to receive $5.19 million held in escrow at the Philippine National Bank.

The amount was part of a wealth forfeiture case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2011, which was dismissed by the anti-graft court in 2018.

The court’s Fourth Division said the Office of the Solicitor General, representing the PCGG, failed to present any new arguments to overturn the earlier decision.

The division noted that more than seven years of inaction by the OSG amounted to a waiver of its right to pursue forfeiture, emphasizing the family’s constitutional right to due process.

The escrowed funds are now set to be released to Romualdez’s wife, Juliette, and their four children, including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Source: PhilNews24 | November 21, 2025