Manila: Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the plunder charge against him before the Sandiganbayan. During the proceedings via videoconferencing, the anti-graft court turned down the defense's plea to postpone the lawmaker's transfer from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila to the Quezon City Jail, or to transfer him to a government hospital in Quezon City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Sandiganbayan on Sept. 7 ordered Romualdez's arrest along with fugitive former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others for their alleged part in a scheme involving kickbacks amounting to PHP7.44 billion from parties in government flood control projects. The defense said they plan to ask for bail for Romualdez's temporary liberty while the case is pending.

Also pending before the anti-graft court is the matter of Romualdez's preventive suspension from public office.