Metro Manila, Philippines – Authorities plan to seek court approval to transfer Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez from Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City to the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the request may be filed within the week so that the former House speaker would be in a government facility while allowing him to continue receiving medical care and remain under police custody.
“Yun po ang gagawin namin para under the formal custody, bibigyan na lang namin ng visitation at practicing rights ang kanyang mga doktor,” Remulla said, adding that he is confident that the PNP hospital has the capability to look after the lawmaker.
[Translation: That is what we will do so that he will be under formal custody. We will simply allow his doctors visitation and practicing rights.]
Romualdez was arrested Monday, Sept. 7, after the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued warrants against him and three others over the ₱7.4-billion plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Authorities served the warrant at the hospital where Romualdez was confined after suffering what Remulla described as a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack.
“According to the hospital management, speaker Martin Romualdez suffered a stroke sometime in July. Transient ischemic attack,” Remulla said.
READ: Romualdez arrested for plunder, seeks hospital confinement
Romualdez remains under round-the-clock police security at the hospital.
“Meron kaming 24/7 two armed guards sa labas ng kwarto niya,” Remulla said.
[Translation: There are two armed guards stationed outside his room 24/7]
He added that there are armed guards also stationed at the hospital lobby, with a mobile patrol outside the facility.
Remulla said Romualdez’s movements are restricted to areas within the hospital, adding that he is a flight risk.
“Dalawa ang kanyang private jet, tatlo ang kanyang helicopter, tatlo ang kanyang yate,” Remulla said.
[Translation: He has two private jets, three helicopters, and three yachts.]
Meanwhile, the court has set a hearing for Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8:30 a.m. on Romualdez’s plea to remain confined at Cardinal Santos while under custody.
The court ordered four of Romualdez’s doctors to testify and directed the submission of his medical examination results. He was also ordered to appear in court if his condition permits.
The court said Romualdez’s custody belongs to the Sandiganbayan, which will determine whether his medical condition warrants continued hospital confinement or transfer to a jail facility.
Remulla said authorities will continue monitoring Romualdez’s condition until he is fit to appear in court.
