Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed on Friday that Washington has revoked both the diplomatic and tourist visas of Leyte 1st District Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The ambassador offered no explanation for the cancellation, saying only that the report was confirmed.
According to an ABS-CBN News report published on June 5, 2026 (abs-cbn.com), the ambassador communicated the confirmation through a text message, stating: “It’s confirmed. We don’t have any other information.”
What We Know So Far
The visas cancelled belong to Martin Romualdez, a prominent figure in Philippine politics who previously served as House Speaker. Two visa types were affected:
- Diplomatic visa – typically issued to government officials traveling on official state business
- Tourist visa – a standard non-immigrant visa for private travel
The cancellation of both visa categories signals a deliberate and formal action by US authorities, though no reason has been publicly stated as of this writing.
The Ambassador’s Statement
Jose Manuel Romualdez, who serves as the Philippines’ top envoy in Washington, confirmed the development directly to ABS-CBN News. His statement was brief – just two sentences – and left little room for interpretation. He acknowledged the visa cancellations but made clear that no further details were available from his end.
It is worth noting that the ambassador shares the same surname as the former House Speaker, though they hold separate and distinct positions.
Why This Matters for Filipinos Abroad
For Filipinos in the US and those closely following political developments back home, the revocation of a sitting legislator’s US visas carries significant weight. Visa cancellations of this kind — especially involving diplomatic credentials — are rarely routine. They typically reflect deliberate foreign policy decisions, though the US government has not issued a public statement explaining its move.
As of the report’s publication, no official statement had been released by Martin Romualdez or his office. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has also not publicly commented on the matter. Further details are expected to emerge as both governments address the situation.
For Filipinos tracking this story from abroad, this is a developing report. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.