Romualdez ordered detained; plea for hospital confinement denied

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday issued a commitment order for the detention of former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the New Quezon City jail. This developed ahead of the anti-graft court's hearing on Romualdez's motion to remain confined in Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he is being treated for heart and brain-related illnesses. Romualdez is facing a P7.4 billion plunder charge over alleged involvement in the flood control mess. Also ahead of the hearing, the PNP said Romualdez will not be present in Thursday's Sandiganbayan's hearing on his motion for continued hospital confinement because the former Speaker's camp secured a certification from the hospital that he is "medically unfit" to travel. Ombudsman prosecutors opposed Romualdez's bid for hospital detention, saying his ailments can be treated by government doctors while in detention in a regular jail. Sandiganbayan has yet to order a transfer. —with reports from Maki Pulido, VAL, GMA News