No more hospital stay: Sandiganbayan orders Romualdez moved to QC jail

September 14, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered former Speaker Martin Romualdez moved to the Quezon City Jail male dormitory in connection with his plunder case after doctors from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital testified that he was stable and did not need to remain in the facility.

The order was issued after the UP-PGH examined Romualdez, the incumbent Leyte representative, upon the court’s order and issued a report on his condition.

The PGH doctors said Romualdez was stable and no longer requires continued stay in an acute care hospital.

It also said he was not having a heart attack and there was no indication of a new or ongoing stroke.

It said as well that his other medical conditions are under control.

But it also said he requires continued medical care out of the hospital, including regular blood pressure monitoring.

Romualdez was transferred to the UP-PGH on Saturday from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he was confined starting Monday last week.

His plunder case was also filed last Monday and he was ordered arrested the same day.

Romualdez was charged with plunder, along with former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, in connection with the alleged receipt of P7.4 billion in kickbacks from contractors, persons, and entities with interest in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects.

Also charged were Romualdez’s personal aide Joselyn Serenio, and businessman Felicito Guevarra.