PGH Forms Specialist Team to Examine Ex-House Speaker Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Saturday said it formed a team of specialists to conduct an examination on former House Speaker Martin Romualdez following his transfer to the hospital from Cardinal Santos Medical Center. In a statement, PGH said the team of doctors will conduct the needed medical examinations and diagnostic tests on the former speaker before submitting a comprehensive report to the Sandiganbayan by Sunday afternoon. “Ito ang magiging batayan ng rekomendasyon ng PGH kung kinakailangan ang patuloy na pananatili ni Congressman Romualdez sa ospital,” the hospital said. (This will be the basis of the PGH’s recommendation if the continued confinement of Congressman Romualdez in the hospital is necessary.) The PGH assured that it will remain objective and professional in conducting its examination. It added that no medical information regarding Romualdez’s condition will be released, except for the report that will be submitted before the court, to protect the patient’s confidentiality. The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday ordered the transfer of Romualdez from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to PGH in order to conduct an independent examination on the former speaker. Romualdez had filed a manifestation requesting for his continued hospital confinement, after he was arrested at Cardinal Santos on Monday over charges of plunder.