(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — An ordinary patient room at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) is ready to take in former speaker Martin Romualdez once the Sandiganbayan grants motion for continued hospital arrest, a PNP official said Wednesday.
“The Health Service [has] already taken the necessary preparations for the possible transfer of [Romualdez] to the PNP General Hospital. May room na na naka-ready sa kanya (a room is ready for him),” Col. Allen Rae Co, PNP spokesman told reporters in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
In a separate statement, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said the PNPGH was “fully prepared” to accommodate the former speaker.
“Our facilities and personnel are ready to provide medical care while ensuring proper custody under the law,” he added.
Co said PNP doctors were also conferring with his personal physicians at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City everyday but were still negotiating for practicing rights for an independent assessment on the former speaker.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division will hold a hearing on Sept. 10, 2026 on Romualdez’ Urgent Motion for Continued Hospital Confinement or hospital arrest. Once approved, the PNP will follow with a motion for custody of the former lawmaker for his transfer at the PNPGH.
The PNPGH, a level II government medical facility, does not have the luxuries of a private hospital.
“Wala ho dito yung executive suite, ‘yung mga special, rooms are rooms so ordinary rooms,” Co said.
(There are no executive suites, no special rooms, just ordinary rooms.)
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, a longtime friend of the former speaker, vowed that Romualdez “cannot hide behind his wealth” and can never buy the law to give him the comforts of a sound sleeping quarters at a private hospital.
Hours before his arrest on Sept. 7, Romualdez was rushed to the hospital over a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and anxiety attack. Due to his condition, booking procedures were done in his hospital room witnessed by his family, doctors and lawyers. Despite his continued stay at the Cardinal, the former speaker is now considered a person deprived of liberty and under PNP custody.
No special treatment
To further show that there is “no special treatment” for Romualdez, a first cousin and very close relative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the PNP said it welcomed an independent team of physicians to check on the former speaker apart from their doctors “to erase any doubts” as to his condition.
“We very much welcome additional doctors to assess the health status of our former speaker,” Co said.
“The PNP assures the public that there will be no special treatment regardless of an individual’s position or status. Our duty is to uphold the rule of law and strictly observe the legal processes,” Nartatez also said.
Since his arrest, Romualdez is now secured by armed guards stationed outside his room and the hospital perimeter.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla even said that Romualdez was a flight risk because of his assets; two private jets, three helicopters and three yachts.
Cardiac issues, elevated blood pressure
Romualdez is currently being treated for cardiac issues and elevated blood pressure. He is under medication at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, according to the Sept. 9 medical bulletin released by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“Diagnostic procedures have been completed and he remains on prescribed medications for his conditions,” the PNP medical bulletin read.
“The medical conference and assessment were concluded on Sept. 8, 2026. The PNPGH physicians have taken into consideration the medical findings and recommendations of the Cardinal Santos Medical Center doctors, who continue to directly attend to and manage the patient's care,” the bulletin read.
The PNP expressed gratitude to the doctors and medical staff of Cardinal for their cooperation and professionalism in sharing the necessary medical information with the PNPGH physicians.
These assessments and coordination form part of the PNP's preparations to ensure that appropriate medical, security, and custodial requirements are in place, should the Court order his transfer to the PNP General Hospital.
Romualdez’s camp filed an Urgent Motion for Continued Hospital Confinement before the Sandiganbayan Third Division following his medical emergency.
In the interest of transparency and public information, the PNP will release a medical bulletin daily at 9 a.m., or as circumstances may warrant.
Hours before his arrest on Monday, Romualdez was rushed to the hospital following a cardiovascular episode. Romualdez is a central figure in the multi-billion kickback scheme on anomalous flood control projects.
