Photo credit: Congress PH

Former Speaker of the House and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has reportedly lost both his official and tourist visas to the United States, according to Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez.

The development was confirmed Friday after reports surfaced that US authorities had cancelled the visas previously issued to the influential lawmaker, who has recently been at the center of several investigations linked to the government's controversial flood control projects.

Speaking to the Philippine News Agency, Ambassador Romualdez confirmed the action taken by US authorities but said he was not provided details regarding the reason behind the visa cancellation.

“All I can say is it's confirmed. I don't have any details,” the ambassador said.

The US Embassy in Manila declined to comment on the matter, citing long-standing confidentiality rules that prohibit American officials from discussing individual visa cases or specific visa actions.

Under US law, visa records are generally confidential, and American authorities rarely disclose the reasons behind revocations, cancellations, or denials involving specific individuals.

The reported cancellation comes at a sensitive time for Romualdez, who has been facing increasing legal and political scrutiny over allegations connected to multibillion-peso flood control projects. In recent months, government investigators have examined complaints involving alleged irregularities in infrastructure spending, including flood mitigation programs that received billions of pesos in public funds.

Earlier this month, the Sandiganbayan denied Romualdez's request to lift a precautionary hold departure order that restricts his international travel while investigations continue. Prosecutors are looking into allegations that include possible violations of anti-graft laws, bribery, money laundering, and other offenses. Romualdez has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the accusations against him lack factual basis.

A veteran politician, Romualdez served as Speaker of the House during the 19th Congress and remains one of the country's most influential political figures. He is the representative of Leyte's First District and is a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. During his tenure as Speaker, he played a key role in advancing the administration's legislative agenda, including budget measures, economic reforms, and infrastructure programs.

The cancellation of both his official and tourist visas is expected to fuel further speculation about the implications of the move, although neither the US government nor Philippine officials have provided any explanation for the decision.

As of Friday, Romualdez's camp had yet to release an official statement regarding the reported visa revocation.

With US authorities remaining silent on the reasons behind the action, questions are likely to persist over what prompted the cancellation and whether it could have broader implications for the ongoing investigations involving the former House Speaker.