Photo courtesy of Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said its medical facility at Camp Crame is ready to receive former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez if the Sandiganbayan orders his transfer from Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Wednesday that the PNP General Hospital can provide medical care while maintaining the security and custodial arrangements required for Romualdez, who remains under arrest in connection with a plunder case.
The final decision rests with the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which has scheduled a hearing on Sept. 10 to determine whether Romualdez still needs to remain in a private hospital. The court has also directed him to appear if his condition permits.
Four Cardinal Santos doctors have been summoned to testify about his health, while Romualdez’s camp was ordered to submit the results of relevant medical examinations. The court stressed that it alone has authority to decide whether his condition justifies hospital confinement or commitment to a detention facility.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said the government would seek Romualdez’s transfer to the PNP General Hospital if continued medical treatment is necessary. PNP doctors have also been tasked to monitor his condition while he remains at Cardinal Santos.
Romualdez was arrested at the San Juan hospital after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant in a plunder case involving alleged kickbacks tied to flood control and other government projects. Police completed booking procedures at the hospital before returning the warrant and supporting documents to the court.
Prosecutors accuse Romualdez and his co-accused of receiving at least Php 7.44 billion in alleged commissions and other benefits from projects funded between 2022 and 2025. He has denied wrongdoing and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
