The Sandiganbayan has directed the transfer of Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Martin Romualdez to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on Saturday so that he could be examined independently.
Romualdez, who has been arrested over his P7.4 billion plunder case, is currently confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center and has asked the court to let him remain there due to his illnesses.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division said Romualdez should remain at the UP-PGH until it gives further orders.
It also directed the hospital to provide daily updates on Romualdez’s conditions.
Romualdez is scheduled to be arraigned on September 14.
The plunder case against him was filed on Monday and his arrest order came out the same day.
He was also confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Monday, saying it was 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.”
Romualdez was charged with plunder along with former lawmaker Elizaldy Co, Romualdez’s personal aide Joselyn Serenio, and businessman Felicito Guevarra in connection with the alleged receipt of kickbacks from contractors, persons, and entities with interest in flood control, infrastructure and other government projects.