MANILA — Government prosecutors will ask a team of state physicians to independently assess former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District’s Cong. Martin Romualdez’s medical condition as they push for his transfer from hospital arrest to a regular detention facility while he faces a P7.4-billion plunder case.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Wednesday the Office of the Ombudsman will strongly oppose Romualdez’s request to remain confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City and will ask the Sandiganbayan to determine whether his reported illnesses genuinely require hospitalization.
“The prosecutors will strongly oppose the motion. In fact, the prosecutors will ask that not just one doctor but a team of government doctors assess whether or not the illnesses declared need confinement or can be managed outside of the hospital,” Clavano said.
“If his illnesses can be managed from outside of the hospital, the prosecutors will move that he be immediately transferred to the regular detention facility as all other accused in non-bailable cases,” he added.
Romualdez is currently under arrest at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he had been confined when the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a warrant for his arrest on Monday.
The warrant was issued on the same day the Ombudsman filed the plunder complaint against Romualdez and three other respondents over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme tied to government flood control projects.
Romualdez subsequently asked the anti-graft court to allow him to remain in the hospital while the case is pending.
In a nine-page manifestation, the former House speaker said he was admitted to the hospital on September 7 and cited medical conditions involving his cardiovascular system and brain as grounds for his continued confinement.
The Sandiganbayan has set a hearing for Thursday, September 10, to determine whether Romualdez should remain under hospital arrest. The court has also ordered him to personally appear at the proceedings concerning his request.
Meanwhile, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Philippine National Police would seek authority to take custody of Romualdez and transfer him to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Meantime, kami po ay magmo-motion for custody ni Martin Romualdez para dalhin sa Camp Crame hospital,” Remulla said at a press briefing.
The Ombudsman’s request for an independent medical assessment and the PNP’s proposed transfer of Romualdez to Camp Crame are expected to figure in the Sandiganbayan’s consideration of his bid for continued hospital confinement./PN
