FORMER House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to remain under custody at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, citing his cardiac history and continuing medical treatment, as he faces a P7.4-billion plunder case.
In a Manifestation of Hospital Confinement and Urgent Motion Ad Cautelam for Continued Hospital Confinement Under Custody filed with the anti-graft court’s Third Division, Romualdez said he was confined at Cardinal Santos and asked that any warrant of arrest against him be served at the hospital.
He also asked the court to allow him to remain under ‘continuous lawful custody’ at the hospital instead of being immediately transferred to a detention facility, pending his medical recovery.
According to the filing, Romualdez has a documented cardiac history and remains under continuing medical care at Cardinal Santos. A medical certificate was attached to the pleading.
The defense made the request ad cautelam, or as a precaution, amid the pending plunder case filed against Romualdez before the Sandiganbayan.
The motion specifically asked the court to recognize his existing hospital confinement and allow him to remain under custody there should a warrant be issued.
The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a P7.4-billion plunder case against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co, Romualdez aide Joselyn Tragua Serenio and businessman Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.
The Ombudsman alleged that Romualdez and Co repeatedly received commissions, percentages, kickbacks and other pecuniary benefits amounting to at least P7.4 billion in connection with their public positions and government projects funded under the national budgets from 2022 to 2025.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division subsequently issued warrants of arrest against the accused after finding probable cause to proceed with the case. The court stressed that the issuance of the warrants did not constitute a finding of guilt.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Romualdez was read his rights in the presence of his lawyer and underwent booking procedures at the hospital.
Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said the former speaker would face the allegations in accordance with law, stressing that criminal liability should ultimately be determined based on the evidence presented in court and the safeguards provided by the justice system.