Former House Speaker Romualdez brought to PGH for medical assessment, potential detention avoidance

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez arrived at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Saturday morning for an independent medical assessment, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him. Romualdez arrived at PGH around 8:30 a.m. GMA News reported. Officials at the PGH have been tasked by the Sandiganbayan Third Division to assess if Romualdez requires medical confinement. The outcome of this assessment could determine whether he will be detained at the Quezon City Jail. Members of the Bureau of Jail Management (BJMP) and Penology and the Philippine National Police (PNP) were observed in and around the PGH. BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera stated in a release, "The BJMP confirms that Rep. Martin Romualdez was received at Philippine General Hospital (PGH) at approximately 8:45 AM today, 12 September 2026, pursuant to the Order of the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division." He added, "He will undergo medical assessment, with PGH to submit its findings and recommendations to the Sandiganbayan. The BJMP will await further court orders and will implement his transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City, upon order of the court." Romualdez's doctors had previously informed the anti-graft court that he needed to remain confined in a medical facility, citing illnesses such as fluctuating blood pressure, risk of stroke, and signs of depressive disorder with anxiety. PGH doctors are mandated to submit their assessment of Romualdez's health by September 13, with PGH Director Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi or another representative to present the findings to the court the following day. The former House speaker faces a P7.4-billion plunder charge in relation to the flood control scam, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday. Romualdez was served the arrest warrant at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Monday night, where he was confined after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. His co-accused include former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co, Romualdez's personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra. Romualdez is petitioning to remain in the hospital following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him, citing various health problems.