FALSE: Padilla to send Romualdez to ICC

Francine Balang

A social media post claims that Sen. Robin Padilla plans to send former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

CLAIM: 

The post alleges that Padilla wants Romualdez sent to the ICC, drawing shock from lawmakers.

RATING: FALSE

CONCLUSION:

Although Romualdez was arrested in the Philippines, Padilla cannot order or initiate his transfer to the ICC. The post falsely links his arrest to an authority the senator does not have.

THE FACTS:

• Romualdez was arrested on September 7, 2026, in connection with a plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects.
• The case against Romualdez is a Philippine criminal proceeding and is separate from proceedings before the ICC.
• Padilla is a member of the Philippine Senate, but an individual senator does not have the authority to order a person’s transfer to the ICC.
• No statement or announcement from the ICC indicates that Romualdez is being sent to or transferred to the court.

THE BOTTOMLINE:

The post falsely claims that Padilla can send Romuldez to the ICC despite having no such authority, potentially misleading the public into believing that such a transfer is already underway.