Romualdez’s transfer to Payatas ordered after PGH assessment

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:48 p.m.) — The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the transfer of former House speaker and incumbent Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte) to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Barangay Payatas on Monday, September 14.

The anti-graft court issued the order following findings by University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) officials that he was "clinically stable" and there was "no imperative medical need" for his continued hospital confinement.

Romualdez is to be held at the Quezon City jail as a "detention prisoner," the anti-graft court said.

UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said Romualdez's risk of an impending heart attack was low, while his hypertension, diabetes and chronic cerebrovascular disease were controlled.

Romualdez had been confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City when the anti-graft court ordered his arrest over a plunder case.

On September 12, he was transferred to UP-PGH for an independent medical assessment to determine whether continued hospital confinement was necessary.

The court ordered the arrest of Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two others after the Office of the Ombudsman charged them with plunder over alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion from flood-control, infrastructure and other government projects.

In a statement, Romualdez maintained his innocence and said he would face the charges and address the allegations before the proper court.

"I thank my physicians at Cardinal Santos Medical Center and the doctors of the Philippine General Hospital for their care and professional judgment. I will continue to follow the medical advice of my doctors," Romualdez said.

"I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed," he added.

Romualdez will be the third incumbent lawmaker detained at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory.

Sens. Rodante Marcoleta and Jinggoy Estrada are also detained at the Payatas facility over separate plunder cases.