Romualdez's Hospital Confinement on Arrest Warrant Day: 'Unusual' Details Emerge in Doctor's Testimony

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's hospitalization on September 7, the same day an arrest warrant was issued against him for plunder, has raised questions, with his admitting physician testifying that the case was not an emergency. Dr. Kurt Allen Sibayan stated in court on Thursday, September 10, during a hearing on Romualdez's motion for hospital confinement, that the former speaker did not require hospitalization. The Office of the Ombudsman's Deputy Special Prosecutor echoed this, noting that Romualdez's medical certificate did not specify a recuperation period. Romualdez was admitted to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City around 4 pm on Monday, citing conditions including hypertension and heart problems. The arrest warrant was served by the Philippine National Police on the same day, but his transfer to a jail facility was delayed due to his reported condition. Sibayan also revealed he prepared the medical abstract but did not examine Romualdez, stating that resident doctors were reportedly not allowed inside the room. This was relayed to him by attending physician Dr. Rosalio Torres, a hematologist and Romualdez's "team manager." Sibayan affirmed this was unusual. Other physicians, including cardiologist Rody Sy and neurologist Rogelio Libarres, also made separate diagnoses. Sibayan's role was to add these diagnoses to the abstract. On Thursday, the court transferred Romualdez's custody from the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Following the resolution of his confinement request, he is to be detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas. The court had scheduled Romualdez's arraignment for September 7, where he would enter a plea. Echoing Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla, doctors confirmed Romualdez checked in around 4 pm. Police Colonel John Guiagui of CIDG Metro Manila noted Romualdez had moved to another hospital room guarded by law enforcers. Torres explained that months prior, Romualdez's staff asked him to manage the former speaker's care. He accepted and formed a specialist team. On September 7, Torres received a call from Romualdez's staff about chest pains. Given Romualdez's heart history, Torres suggested immediate confinement for examination. He and Sy advised admission for evaluation. When asked why the admission was delayed until 4 pm despite morning chest pains, Torres suggested Romualdez might have wanted his advice. Romualdez is in a private room, not intensive care, requiring "active monitoring" for potential unstable angina or impending heart attack, according to Torres. He cited the "high risk" of transporting Romualdez due to heart attack possibility, a point raised repeatedly given Remulla's earlier statements about transferring him to Camp Crame and then to Payatas per the court order. The 3rd Division will continue the hearing on Friday, September 11, with more of Romualdez's doctors expected to testify. – Rappler.com