Ombudsman to oppose Martin’s bid for hospital detention

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman will “strongly oppose” the bid of Leyte congressman and former speaker Martin Romualdez for continued hospital confinement as he faces detention for a non-bailable P7.4-billion plunder charge.

“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,” Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said.

He said prosecutors will ask a team of government doctors to assess Romualdez’s condition.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant against Romualdez on Sept. 7 after his indictment, together with fugitive former congressman Zaldy Co and two others.

However, Romualdez’s camp said he had already been admitted to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City when the arrest warrant was issued.

This prompted authorities to serve the warrant while he was in the hospital, clad in a hospital gown and hooked to medical equipment.

Romualdez’s lawyers claimed he suffered anxiety attack and a “cardiovascular event,” leading them to ask the Sandiganbayan to grant him “continued hospital confinement.”

In his motion, Romualdez has asked the court to allow him to remain at Cardinal Santos under lawful custody, saying he is suffering from hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, unstable angina, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular ischemic disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and primary hypothyroidism.

Romualdez also noted that he underwent angioplasty surgery in October 2024 and has since required continuing cardiac monitoring and treatment.

He also claimed that he was confined at the same hospital in July this year as irregularities were found in his MRI scan examination.

As it is set to hear the motion today, the anti-graft court division has summoned four doctors of Romualdez to testify on his condition.

Romualdez is likewise directed to appear before the court “should his condition permit.”

The Sandiganbayan emphasized that custody of Romualdez belongs to the anti-graft court.

“If there are concerns regarding the accused’s medical condition, it is only this court that can determine whether such condition affects the implementation of the warrant, the confinement of the accused at a hospital or his commitment to a jail facility,” the order read.

No special  treatment

An ordinary room awaits Romualdez at the Philippine National Police General  Hospital (PNPGH), according to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

“The PNP assures the public that there will be no special treatment regardless of an individual’s position or status. Our duty is to uphold the rule of law and strictly observe the legal processes,” he said in a statement yesterday.

With Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla declaring Romualdez a flight risk, police have beefed up security around Cardinal Santos hospital. Remulla said Romualdez owns two private jets, three helicopters and three yachts.

As critics slammed what they called double standard in the treatment of Romualdez, Malacañang said his doctors should be given the benefit of the doubt regarding their recommendation to let him stay in the hospital.

“The PNP or the leadership of the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) cannot insist on bringing with them the accused if there is a certification that he should not be removed yet from the hospital,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing yesterday.

“It is up to the views of the doctors and doctors have to tell the truth. So, we will just give them the benefit of the doubt, the doctors who say that the accused is not feeling well... If he is in the hospital, maybe he will not be able to escape,” Castro said.

Asked to react to the move of the former House speaker’s camp to seek an extension of his hospital confinement, Castro said it would depend on the findings of his doctors. “For now, there is no discussion about hospital arrest,” the Palace press officer said.

“The administration will not meddle in that and we cannot second guess the feeling, the health condition of any accused,” she added.

Castro maintained that President Marcos, a first cousin of Romualdez, remains “neutral” with regard to legal processes, including the filing of charges against those accused of wrongdoing. 

“We do not need to know the personal feelings of the President. What is necessary is to hold to account those who should be held to account. The feelings of the President are not likely to have an effect, whether happy or sad or whatever, it is not important,” she said. 

“What is important is that justice is moving and if he needs to be held to account for any reason, it will be seen in the court. Let the court decide on this case.” – Alexis Romero, Emmanuel Tupas