MANILA, Philippines — Security preparations surrounding former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) remain tight, but the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Sunday that it has not monitored any specific threat against the detained lawmaker.
Romualdez was transferred from Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City to PGH on Saturday, September 12, for an independent medical assessment ordered by the Sandiganbayan.
BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the agency had already prepared its personnel, vehicles and coordination measures before Romualdez was placed under its custody.
“There are no threats,” Bustinera said in a radio interview, adding that the BJMP was prepared for possible security concerns and was coordinating with the Philippine National Police and local authorities.
The agency also deployed additional security personnel at PGH, citing the need to maintain strict security given previous incidents involving attempts by persons deprived of liberty to escape.
Medical assessment could determine Romualdez’s next destination
The PGH examination is crucial because the results could help determine whether Romualdez should remain in a hospital or eventually be transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered the independent examination after Romualdez’s doctors at Cardinal Santos argued that he should remain confined because of medical concerns, including fluctuating blood pressure and cardiovascular risks.
The court directed PGH doctors to independently evaluate his condition and determine whether continued hospital confinement is medically necessary.
Philippine Star reported that PGH doctors were expected to submit their assessment to the Sandiganbayan, which will then consider the medical recommendation in deciding Romualdez’s continued confinement.
The court previously emphasized that the PGH examination should be conducted independently, without direct or indirect participation or influence from Romualdez’s private physicians.
BJMP says no VIP treatment
The development comes after the BJMP formally assumed custody of Romualdez from the Philippine National Police.
The bureau has repeatedly said that Romualdez will receive the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no special or VIP treatment.
BJMP officials had also prepared a detention cell at the Quezon City Jail should doctors eventually determine that Romualdez can safely leave the hospital.
GMA News previously reported that the BJMP had said the facility has medical personnel available around the clock and that Romualdez would not be placed in a special solo detention arrangement simply because of his status.
According to the latest BJMP information, Quezon City Jail currently has about 3,200 persons deprived of liberty, against a maximum capacity of around 4,300. The bureau also reported vacant cells, including spaces in the facility’s infirmary.
Why Romualdez was brought to PGH
Romualdez was arrested on September 7 after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant in connection with a P7.4-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from government flood-control and infrastructure projects.
The Ombudsman has accused Romualdez and several other individuals of involvement in alleged transactions connected to the infrastructure projects. These remain allegations that will have to be resolved through judicial proceedings.
Romualdez was initially held under PNP-CIDG custody while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
The Sandiganbayan subsequently transferred custody to the BJMP, while allowing the court proceedings concerning his medical confinement to continue.
Doctors previously raised concerns over his condition
The medical issue has become a central part of the court proceedings.
Doctors from Cardinal Santos previously testified that Romualdez had cardiovascular and other health concerns and argued that moving him could pose medical risks.
One of his physicians testified that Romualdez was at high risk of a possible heart attack, while another described concerns involving his blood pressure and other medical conditions.
However, questions were also raised during the Sandiganbayan hearings about the circumstances surrounding his hospital admission, including testimony from an admitting physician who described aspects of the admission as unusual. Those claims and counterclaims remain matters for the court to evaluate.
What happens next?
The immediate focus is now on the PGH medical assessment.
The hospital’s independent findings could become a key factor in determining whether Romualdez remains hospitalized or is eventually transferred to a BJMP detention facility.
In other words, the security issue at PGH may not be the biggest question facing authorities.
The bigger question is what the PGH doctors will tell the Sandiganbayan about Romualdez’s medical condition—and whether that recommendation will keep him in a hospital or clear the way for his transfer to jail.
Romualdez’s arraignment and pretrial proceedings have been scheduled for September 14, adding another major development to an already closely watched case.
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