ONCE regarded as the country’s second most powerful man, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has finally been reduced as a “not-so-regular” detainee inside a walled fortress aptly referred to as jail.
On orders of Sandiganbayan Third Division, Romualdez was brought to the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas on Monday night, after a weekend “staycation” at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for an independent medical assessment in view of a motion seeking hospital detention.
The order was made after the testimony of PGH director Gerardo Legaspi, who told the court that Romualdez can be discharged at any time since he was medically stable, based on the examination done by a dozen specialists at the PGH.
CONFIRMED BOOKING
According to Captain Jayrex Bustinera in his capacity as spokesperson of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the convoy which had Romualdez arrived at the New Quezon City Jail at 10:49 last night.
Bustinera said the Leyte congressman, who is facing a non-bailable plunder case, underwent standard booking procedures such as medical evaluation, fingerprint, mugshot, interview, and orientation.
The BJMP has taken over custody of Romualdez by virtue of a commitment order issued by the Anti-Graft Court on Friday, September 11.
Romualdez was arrested by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) inside the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on September 7.
CARDIAC LOW-RISK
Specialists from the PGH have been taking turns examining the former House Speaker as part of the so-called “independent medical examination,” as ordered by the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
In the final medical assessment report, PGH specialists determined that Romualdez has low risk for heart attack, while his hypertension and diabetes are also controlled.
While Romualdez is suffering from anxiety and depression, the PGH Director clarified that such conditions do not require confinement in a medical facility.
Before he was brought to the PGH, Romualdez had been staying at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC), a private hospital (in San Juan City) known for catering the rich and famous.
DOCS IN CAHOOTS
Prior to Romualdez’s transfer to the PGH, the former House Speaker’s attending Cardiologist: Dr. Rosalio Torres insisted that the Leyte congressman should remain confined because he is at high risk for a heart attack, citing unstable angina and underlying coronary disease.
Another cardiologist, Dr. Rody Sy, claimed that his condition is unstable and moving him poses risks.
Romualdez’s Neurologist Dr. Rogelio Libarres for his part insisted that the presidential cousin is very depressed and not sleeping well, which raises his risk of another stroke and supports keeping him in continued care.
The CSMC has yet to issue a statement over the conflicting findings that Torres, Sy and Libares said before the anti-graft court’s hearing on Romualdez’s motion for hospital detention.
WHAT WENT BEFORE
The Sandiganbayan Third Division on September 7 issued an arrest warrant against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two others for plunder involving alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion.
The amount allegedly came from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, according to prosecutors.
Romualdez has since denied accusations.
“I maintain my innocence. I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed.”
