Romualdez moved to PGH on court’s order

September 12, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Former Speaker Martin Romualdez, the incumbent Leyte representative, was brought to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on Saturday on orders of the Sandiganbayan so that he could be examined independently.

Abante News reported that Romualdez was transferred to the PGH from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he was confined Monday, the same day he was charged with plunder and ordered arrested for the non-bailable case.

Romualdez earlier filed a motion asking the court to let him remain in the hospital due to his conditions.

His doctors testified before the court about his condition and the risks posed, if any, if he would be committed to a jail facility or a government hospital.

But the Sandiganbayan Third Division deemed it proper to order an independent examination by the PGH to verify the examination conducted by his own doctors and to determine whether there is a need for his continued confinement at a medical facility.

It also directed the PGH to submit a report and recommendation and to allow Romualdez to remain in the facility until further orders from the court.

Romualdez’s arraignment is reset to September 16.

Romualdez was charged with plunder along with former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, Romualdez’s personal aide Joselyn Serenio, and businessman Felicito Guevarra.

This was 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.