Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested Monday after the warrant for his plunder case was served on him at the hospital and he is now considered a person deprived of liberty, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
As of press time, Romualdez remains confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and has a pending motion before the Sandiganbayan to remain in the medical facility.
Remulla quoted Romualdez’s doctors as saying that he is suffering from a cardiovascular event with unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack.
But Remulla said he told the doctors that the authorities would check on him every day until he is well enough to be presented to court.
“We assure you, he cannot hide behind his wealth. Kahit mayaman siya, hindi niya kayang bayaran ang batas para payagan siya dito sa magandang lugar matutulog,” he said.
He said Romualdez would be brought to the detention facility in Payatas when the doctors allow him to be discharged.
“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door. Meron kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby,” he said.
He said Romualdez was brought to the hospital on Monday, the same day his P7.4 billion plunder case was filed.
Also on Monday, Romualdez filed a manifestation and motion informing the Sandiganbayan of his confinement and asking it to allow him to remain in the hospital.
He said he is confined at the hospital due to “Hypertensive Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Unstable Angina, Coronary Artery Disease, S/P PCI (post percutaneous coronary intervention), Cerebrovascular Ischemic Disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, and Primary Hypothyroidism.”
He also said he underwent angioplasty in October 2024 due to coronary artery disease, and requires continuing cardiac monitoring and treatment.
According to him, his required care cannot be safely given at a detention facility hospital, much less a detention facility.
He also said an MRI of his brain found irregularities.
“The relief sought is accordingly not a matter of preference but of documented medical necessity, to be maintained under continuous lawful custody and subject to the safeguards set out below,” he said.
Romualdez, former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, Romualdez’s personal aide Joselyn Serenio, and businessman Felicito Guevarra were charged with plunder in connection with Romualdez and Co’s alleged receipt of kickbacks from contractors, persons, and entities with interest in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects.