Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Photo courtesy of PNP.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez came under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s (BJMP) custody Thursday as his legal team continued seeking permission for him to remain hospitalized.
The turnover from the Philippine National Police (PNP) was completed at 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 10 following a commitment order from the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
Despite the change in custodial authority, Romualdez remained at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City pending developments concerning his medical condition and the court’s directives.
The BJMP said he would eventually be brought to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas once medically cleared and authorized by the anti-graft court.
The bureau also maintained that the former House leader would be subject to the same rules and privileges governing other persons deprived of liberty, without preferential treatment.
Romualdez is facing a non-bailable plunder charge involving allegations that he and his co-accused accumulated at least Php 7.44 billion in illicit financial benefits connected to government projects from 2022 to 2025.
The Sandiganbayan found probable cause to issue arrest warrants after reviewing the Ombudsman’s case records, but emphasized that this finding does not establish the guilt of any of the accused.
Romualdez has maintained his innocence and, through his lawyer, said he would answer the accusations through the judicial process.
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