MANILA — The camp of detained former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has denied allegations that he has been secretly slipping out of the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas aboard an ambulance, dismissing the claims as baseless.
Lawyer Jose “Judd” Roy III, head of Romualdez’s defense team, rejected allegations circulated on social media by veteran columnist Ramon “Mon” Tulfo that the former House leader had been making unauthorized trips outside the detention facility.
“This report is totally untrue,” Roy said.
Tulfo alleged in a Facebook post that Romualdez had been using an ambulance to leave the jail unnoticed, citing an unidentified source.
“Nakakalabas ng kulungan si dating Speaker Martin Romualdez, ayon sa aking tweety bird,” Tulfo wrote. “Sumasakay siya ng ambulancia para hindi halata, ani tweety bird.”
However, Tulfo provided no supporting evidence or specific dates of the alleged unauthorized trips.
Romualdez had previously been transported by ambulance to medical facilities, including the Philippine General Hospital in September for a court-ordered examination.
The Sandiganbayan subsequently ordered his detention at the New Quezon City Jail after government doctors found him medically stable and fit to remain in custody under appropriate supervision.
The former House Speaker faces a P7.44-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from government infrastructure projects implemented between 2022 and 2025.
Romualdez has denied the allegations against him./PN
