MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez arrived at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas late Monday after the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) discharged him following a weekend confinement.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel transported Romualdez from PGH to the jail facility, where he arrived at 10:49 p.m.
BJMP spokesperson Capt. Jayrex Bustinera confirmed Romualdez’s arrival and said jail authorities will conduct standard booking procedures, including medical evaluation, fingerprinting, mugshot taking, an interview and orientation.
Earlier reports said Romualdez would arrive at the facility no later than 6 p.m. Authorities did not immediately explain the delay.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered Romualdez’s transfer from PGH to the New Quezon City Jail during a hearing Monday.
PGH director Gerardo Legaspi told the court that doctors could discharge Romualdez at any time because he had reached a medically stable condition following examinations from about a dozen specialists.
Legaspi said specialists determined that Romualdez faced a low risk of heart attack and that his hypertension and diabetes remained controlled. He also confirmed that Romualdez had anxiety and depression but said the conditions did not require continued hospital confinement.
Before his stay at PGH, Romualdez remained at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where authorities served him an arrest warrant on Sept. 7.
The Sandiganbayan issued the warrant against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and two others in connection with a plunder case involving alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion.
Prosecutors said contractors, individuals and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects funded under the 2022 to 2025 General Appropriations Acts allegedly provided the kickbacks.
Romualdez has denied the allegations and said, “I maintain my innocence.”