Metro Manila, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was arrested for plunder on Monday, Sept. 7, and is seeking temporary hospital confinement while in police custody.
The Ombudsman filed the ₱7.4-billion plunder case before the Sandiganbayan at noon, accusing Romualdez, former lawmaker Zaldy Co, and two others of involvement in alleged corruption linked to flood control projects.
Within hours, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued warrants of arrest and hold departure orders against the four accused.
Authorities arrived at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City past 7 p.m. to serve Romualdez’s warrant.
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-NCR chief Police Colonel John Guiagui said they read him his Miranda rights and formally placed him under arrest.
“We have served the warrant of arrest laban kay Speaker Romualdez and binasahan namin siya ng kanyang Miranda rights,” Guiagui said.
Guiagui said authorities took photographs instead of a conventional mugshot because Romualdez could not stand due to medical devices attached to his body.
“There is a sheriff of the Third Division here to check na nandito siya,” he added.
Authorities plan to return the warrant to the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday, along with a report on the arrest and an explanation as to why he cannot be brought to court.
Guiagui said authorities are also looking for the two other private individuals named in the warrant and will check their known addresses.
Remulla earlier said Romualdez is considered a person deprived of liberty despite his hospital confinement.
“We assure you, he cannot hide behind his wealth,” Remulla said.
