(DC file photo)
Malacañang on Friday called for a thorough investigation into reports that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been allowed a round-the-clock personal aide while detained at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities must determine whether the arrangement is justified by medical or humanitarian considerations or constitutes preferential treatment.
“Kung iyan man ay mayroong special aide, dapat sigurong malaman at ipagbigay-alam anong dahilan bakit 24/7 at kung ito ay lumalabas na special treatment, ito dapat ay hindi maging kustombre o kaugalian na nato-tolerate sa ganitong klaseng mga kondisyon at sitwasyon,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She stressed that any arrangement amounting to special privileges should not be tolerated in detention facilities.
Castro’s remarks followed the confirmation of Quezon City Jail Warden Superintendent Maria Loures Pacion before the Sandiganbayan Third Division that she had approved the assignment of a personal staff member to assist Romualdez around the clock on humanitarian grounds.
The Palace spokesperson said a definitive assessment could not be made without establishing Romualdez’s medical condition and the circumstances behind the arrangement.
“Hindi po tayo makakapagbigay ng kongkretong kasagutan dahil ito ay depende sa pangangatawan at kalusugan nga ng nakakulong,” Castro said.
She acknowledged that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) may receive medical assistance depending on their health conditions but emphasized that such arrangements must be properly justified.
Castro added that if the assistance is found to be excessive or an unnecessary privilege, it should not be permitted.
Meanwhile, the Palace also raised concerns over reported security deficiencies at the detention facility, particularly blind spots in its closed-circuit television (CCTV) system.
Castro said jail personnel remain responsible for monitoring all detainees regardless of their position or status.
She urged jail authorities to report equipment deficiencies to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for appropriate action.
“Hindi ito magiging excuse para maging negligent ang sinumang mga naka-assign diyan na mga public officials or mga officials na dapat na nagmo-monitor ng galawan ng mga PDL,” she said.
Castro stressed that inadequate surveillance equipment should not excuse lapses in jail security or the monitoring of detainees.
The Palace spokesperson also welcomed columnist Ramon Tulfo’s acknowledgment that he had mistakenly shared information about an alleged power interruption at the detention facility.
The claim, circulated on social media, suggested that a power outage had disabled CCTV cameras and allowed Romualdez to leave the jail undetected aboard an ambulance.
Castro described Tulfo’s admission as a “professional gesture” and encouraged others who spread inaccurate information to acknowledge and correct their mistakes.
She reiterated the importance of verifying information before making public allegations, particularly those involving government institutions and detention facilities.
