MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday assured the public that no special treatment will be given to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez after he requested hospital custody, emphasizing that his placement under hospital care was made at the decision of his physicians.
This comes following Romualdez's hospital custody at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City after his arrest on September 7 for plunder charges.
The development drew criticisms online, with some questioning whether politicians were being afforded preferential treatment by being allowed to remain in hospitals after their arrest.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro rejected the criticisms, assuring the public that no special treatment will be given to Romualdez—the cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“If he is in the hospital, he won't be able to escape,” said Castro in Filipino.
