Palace Detaches From Romualdez's Hospital Stay, Cites Non-Interference

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is taking a hands-off approach to the hospitalization of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. It says that only doctors can determine when he can be transferred to a detention facility. Romualdez is currently confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). He is reportedly suffering from Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, primary hypothyroidism and other illnesses. READ: Romualdez camp free to comment; admin adhering to due process – Palace “We will just give them [doctors] the benefit of the doubt – the doctors who say that an accused is not well,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a briefing. This statement comes amid criticisms on the alleged lapse in the country’s law enforcement that enable well-known politicians secure hospital treatment, during the time of arrest – a situation ordinary suspects cannot avail of. Castro acknowledged that criticisms are inevitable, but she said the doctors cannot be dictated on their assessment of an accused person’s health. “The PNP or the leadership of the DILG cannot insist on immediately transferring an accused individual, who has been certified as not yet fit to be discharged or removed from the hospital,” she said. “But still, we have seen what the DILG and PNP leadership did. He is still there, and if he is in the hospital, he probably won’t be able to escape,” she noted. The Palace press oficer also said there is no discussion from the side of Malacañang on the motion of Romualdez’s camp to extend his hospital confinement after his apprehension. “We would prefer it if the person offering this suggestion can be considered unaffiliated with Speaker Romualdez—someone neutral, whose findings are neutral,” she remarked. “So, that depends on the doctor. The administration will not interfere with that, and we cannot determine the feelings or health condition of any accused person,” Castro maintained. Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez earlier said that the hospital inside Camp Crame is prepared if the Sandiganbayan will approve a proposal to transfer Romualdez there. READ: PNP hospital ready if Sandiganbayan OKs order to transfer Romualdez The presidential cousin was arrested for plunder at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Monday night, following an order by the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division. His 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. /apl