The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) allowed former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s staff to attend to his needs inside his cell, its personnel told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday.
The Third Division is handling the plunder case against Romualdez stemming from alleged kickbacks from infrastructure projects worth P7.44 billion.
During the court hearing, Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion confirmed that Romualdez’s staff was allowed inside his cell.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chair of the Third Division, asked why this was being allowed. Pacion said it was due to Romualdez’s mental health condition and the BJMP’s lack of personnel.
‘We cannot hire any more person for the personal needs of Congressman Romualdez,’ Pacion said. ‘As for my assessment, his mental state is not that stable.’
Miranda also asked if this was allowed under BJMP rules.
‘We allow that if the patient is not in good condition,’ Pacion told the court. ‘It’s a case-to-case basis and the prerogative of the warden to assess what is needed for a certain PDL (person deprived of liberty).’
Miranda asked if other PDLs had been given the same consideration.
Pacion said there had been instances when it was allowed, but no other PDLs had been permitted to have their personal staff inside their cells aside from Romualdez.
‘Not anymore, your honor,’ Pacion said in response to Miranda. ‘Previously, [it was allowed] because there was a patient who needed bedside care.’
‘All PDLs are equal,’ Miranda said. ‘Let me stress that.’
Ramon Tulfo’s reports that Romualdez could go in and out of jail prompted the Sandiganbayan Third Division to hold a hearing to check on the lawmaker’s condition in detention.
Tulfo, who has since retracted his post, had said that Romualdez was riding in an ambulance and the brownouts were taking place so he would not be seen going out and coming back to his cell.
The columnist said that ‘no such thing happened when the facts started coming in yesterday.’