Romualdez to be transferred from San Juan hospital to QC Jail

Two Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) transport vehicles with an escort ambulance on Thursday afternoon arrived at a San Juan hospital where former speaker and Leyte 1st District Martin Romualdez is confined. According to GMA News' Mariz Umali, the BJMP vehicles arrived following a commitment order from Sandiganbayan for the transfer of Romualdez to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas. The Sandiganbayan has ordered the transfer of Romuladez's custody from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the BJMP, which has jurisdiction over the Payatas jail facility. BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said Romualdez was turned over by the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. "Rep. Romualdez will be accorded the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no VIP or special treatment," Bustinera said. Upon order of the court, Romualdez will be transferred to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City, the BJMP said. The anti-graft court's Third Division's issued Romualdez's commitment order ahead of its hearing on the former speaker's motion to remain confined in Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he is confined over heart and brain-related health concerns. Romualdez is facing a P7.4-billion plunder charge over alleged involvement in the flood control mess. GMA News Online has sought an update from the BJMP about the matter. — VDV, GMA News