Sandiganbayan Orders Transfer of Romualdez Custody from PNP to BJMP

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the transfer of custody of former Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson Karl Miranda made the announcement after the anti-graft court issued a commitment order for Romualdez to be detained at the New Quezon City jail in Payatas, a facility under BJMP's jurisdiction. This order comes ahead of a hearing on Romualdez's motion to remain under hospital detention at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, citing heart and brain-related health concerns. Philippine National Police (PNP) Colonel John Guiagui, chief of the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, stated that the police would comply with the court's order. "The custody [of former Speaker] will now be transferred to the BJMP," Guiagui told reporters. He added that it would be up to the BJMP to determine the required number of personnel to keep watch on Romualdez. The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, and others over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme on flood control projects. Also on Thursday, Ombudsman prosecutors asked for one more day to prepare for the cross-examination of Romualdez's doctors at Cardinal Santos, namely Dr. Rody Sy (cardiology) and Dr. Lourdes Ignacio (internal medicine with sub-specialization in psychiatry). This followed testimonies from Dr. Kurt Allen Sibayan and Dr. Rosalio Torres before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, who stated that Romualdez's condition was not an emergency case, although he remains at high risk for a possible heart attack. Deputy Special Prosecutor Omar Sagadal told the anti-graft court, "It is our humble plea, Your Honors, that we continue tomorrow. The witnesses' testimonies are technical in nature. We need time for studying their judicial affidavit." The court granted Sagadal's plea, but Sandiganbayan Third Division Associate Justice Ronald Moreno made it of record that it was over and above the court's objection. "The witnesses are already here. You could have examined them [now]," Moreno remarked. Dr. Sy was present during Thursday's hearing, while Dr. Ignacio has been subpoenaed to testify before the Sandiganbayan on Friday, September 11. — VDV, GMA News