Metro Manila, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered on Monday, Sept. 14, the transfer of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas following an independent medical assessment by the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
UP-PGH director Gerardo Legaspi testified that Romualdez was clinically stable and has no acute medical condition requiring continued hospital confinement, although he still needs medication, monitoring and follow-up care.
The court said its order was based on the UP-PGH findings and the testimonies of its doctors.
The former House speaker, who is facing a plunder case over alleged ₱7.4 billion in flood control project kickbacks, said he respects the court decision but maintains his innocence.
Romualdez was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Sept. 7 before authorities transferred him to the government hospital on Sept. 12 for the court-instructed independent examination.
