MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez was declared “medically unfit to travel” for a scheduled Sandiganbayan hearing on Thursday, as the legal battle over his continued hospital confinement intensified following his arrest over a P7.4-billion plunder case linked to alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.
But even as Romualdez remained under medical care, the Sandiganbayan Third Division made a major move: it issued a commitment order for his detention at the New Quezon City Jail, according to the latest reports.
The development has raised a crucial question: Will Romualdez remain in hospital custody, or will he eventually be transferred to a regular detention facility?
Romualdez Unable to Attend Hearing
The Philippine National Police said Romualdez would not personally attend Thursday’s Sandiganbayan hearing regarding his request for continued hospital confinement after his camp obtained a medical certification declaring him unfit to travel.
Romualdez has been confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City since authorities served the Sandiganbayan-issued arrest warrant against him.
Earlier reports said he experienced a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack, prompting his lawyers to seek continued hospital confinement while he remains under police custody.
The former Speaker was arrested after the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against him and three others in connection with an alleged kickback scheme involving government flood control projects.
The case involves allegations amounting to P7.4 billion, although Romualdez has previously denied wrongdoing.
Sandiganbayan Issues Jail Commitment Order
Ahead of the hearing on Romualdez’s request to remain in hospital confinement, the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a commitment order for his detention at the New Quezon City Jail.
The order, however, came amid continuing proceedings over his medical condition and whether continued hospital treatment is necessary. Reports indicated that the court had not yet ordered his immediate physical transfer from the hospital at the time of the latest updates.
This means the legal and medical issues surrounding Romualdez’s custody remain under active consideration.
Ombudsman Wants Independent Medical Assessment
The Office of the Ombudsman has taken a firm position against automatically allowing Romualdez to remain under hospital detention.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said prosecutors would strongly oppose the request and seek an assessment by government doctors to determine whether Romualdez’s medical conditions genuinely require continued hospital confinement or can be managed outside the hospital.
Prosecutors have argued that if his illnesses can be adequately treated without hospital confinement, Romualdez should be transferred to a regular detention facility, similar to other accused persons facing non-bailable charges.
The Sandiganbayan had also ordered Romualdez’s doctors to testify regarding his condition and submit the results of medical examinations conducted during his confinement.
PNP Hospital Ready for Possible Transfer
The PNP, meanwhile, has prepared for the possibility that Romualdez could be transferred to the PNP General Hospital inside Camp Crame rather than remain at the private hospital.
PNP officials said a room had already been prepared, while police doctors coordinate with Cardinal Santos Medical Center for an independent assessment of Romualdez’s health.
The PNP has stressed that any transfer will ultimately depend on the Sandiganbayan’s directives and the findings regarding his medical condition.
From Powerful Speaker to Person Under Custody
The case marks a dramatic turn for Romualdez, who once held one of the most powerful positions in Philippine politics as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He is now facing detention over allegations tied to a massive flood control corruption scandal that has drawn national attention.
According to reports, the plunder case involves allegations that billions of pesos connected to flood control projects were improperly diverted through an alleged kickback scheme. Romualdez is among several political and business figures facing investigations and legal proceedings connected to the broader controversy.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is now on three major issues:
First: Whether medical evidence will justify Romualdez’s continued confinement in a hospital.
Second: Whether government doctors will agree with the assessment of his private physicians.
Third: When and how the Sandiganbayan’s commitment order for his detention at the New Quezon City Jail will be implemented.
For now, Romualdez remains at the center of an intensifying legal battle where medical concerns, custodial rules and a high-profile plunder case are colliding.
And with the Sandiganbayan already issuing a jail commitment order, the next court actions could determine whether his hospital room remains his place of custody—or whether he will soon be transferred behind jail walls.
The biggest question now: Is Romualdez’s hospital confinement temporary medical necessity, or will the court soon order his transfer to a regular detention facility?
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