PNP Hospital Ready for Potential Transfer of Ex-House Speaker Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez assured that the hospital inside Camp Crame is prepared if the Sandiganbayan approved a proposal to transfer former House Speaker Martin Romualdez there. “The PNP will await Sandiganbayan’s action on the proposed transfer… and maintain the required security and custodial arrangements,” Nartatez said in a statement on Wednesday. “Our facilities and personnel are ready to provide medical care while ensuring proper custody under the law,” he maintained. READ: DILG chief: ‘We won’t allow’ Romualdez to stay at private hospital Romualdez was arrested for plunder at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Monday night, following an order by the Sandiganbayan Third Division. The former Speaker’s camp has since asked the court to keep him in hospital confinement for various ailments. The Third Division set a hearing for the motion on Thursday. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said their agency would request the Sandiganbayan to transfer Romualdez to the PNP General Hospital. “The PNP assures the public that there will be no special treatment regardless of an individual’s position or status,” Nartatez said. “Our duty is to uphold the rule of law and strictly observe the legal processes,” he added. Romualdez’ warrant was returned to the court on Tuesday, alongside a certificate of detention, a medical certificate, a spot report, a booking form and his mugshots, the PNP chief noted. The former Speaker is accused of involvement in over P7 billion worth of alleged kickbacks in various government projects from 2022 to 2025. He has since denied wrongdoing and pledged to face the allegations against him according to the law. /jpv