Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang defended the government’s handling of the arrest of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez amid criticism that his hospital stay was preferential treatment.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police acted immediately after the court released its decision on the charges filed by the ombudsman..
“Si Secretary Jonvic Remulla, noong nailabas na po ang warrant of arrest, siya naman po ay agad na pinuntahan. Si dating Speaker Romualdez ay pinuntahan agad sa ospital at nandoon na po, kumbaga, binantayan na po,” Castro said.
[Translation: When the arrest warrant was issued, Secretary Jonvic Remulla immediately acted on it. Former Speaker Romualdez was immediately approached at the hospital, where authorities have since been keeping watch over him.]
Some questioned whether an ordinary suspect would receive the same treatment.
She said authorities could not simply remove Romualdez without medical clearance.
“Hindi naman din maipipilit ng PNP o ng pamunuan ng DILG na dalhin agad ang isang akusado na nasertipikahan na hindi pa nararapat na tanggalin or i-remove from the hospital,” Castro said.
[Translation: The PNP or DILG leadership cannot simply force an accused person to be immediately transferred if doctors have certified that the person is not yet fit to be removed from the hospital.]
Benefit of doubt
Castro said the government would defer to the medical assessment of Romualdez’ doctors.
“So, we will just give them the benefit of the doubt, ang mga doctors na nagsasabi na ang isang akusado ay hindi maganda ang karamdaman,” she said.
[Translation: We will give the benefit of the doubt to the doctors who say that an accused person is not in good health.]
She said government security personnel are stationed at the hospital, while authorities are monitoring when Romualdez could be transferred to the appropriate facility.
“Kung nasa ospital naman po iyan, hindi naman po siguro iyan makakatakas,” Castro said.
[Translation: If he is in the hospital, then presumably he will not be able to escape.]
The Sandiganbayan will hear Romualdez’ hospital arrest bid on Sept. 10.
