MANILA, Philippines — Former speaker Martin Romualdez, a central figure in the multi-billion flood control controversy, was arrested on Monday (September 7) evening but is currently admitted to a hospital in San Juan City due to “cardiovascular event” on the exact day his warrant was served.
Romualdez, who was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan Third Division is accused of multi-billion commissions and kickbacks tied to anomalous flood control, infrastructure, and budget allocations from 2022 to 2025 tied to anomalous flood control projects and budget allocations from 2022 to 2025.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) officials immediately proceeded to the Cardinal to serve the arrest warrant to Romualdez.
“For the information of the public, the warrant of arrest has been served to former speaker Martin Romualdez. Tinanggap niya personally, he’s now undergoing booking procedures kung saan kinukuha ‘yung finger prints niya,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters in an ambush interview outside Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
(For the information of the public, the warrant of arrest has been served to former speaker Martin Romualdez. He received it personally, and he is now undergoing booking procedures where his fingerprints are being taken.)
“Tinanggap niya sa harap ng kaniyang mga abugado at harap ng kaniyang mga doktor. ‘Yung doctors ng PNP at doctors niya nag-uusap ngayon tungkol sa status niya at ibigay sa amin ang records,” he said.
(He accepted it in the presence of his lawyers and his doctors. The PNP doctors and his own doctors are currently conferring regarding his medical status to provide us with the records.)
Remulla said they are now preparing a report to be sent to the Sandiganbayan along with the return of warrant and shall be monitoring the lawmaker’s daily condition until he is “well enough to be sent to court.”
The Interior chief vowed fair treatment to Romualdez and assured that his money, no matter how much he has, cannot buy him comfort just like others before him experienced.
“We assure you he cannot hide behind his wealth. Kahit gaano kayaman siya, hindi niya kayang bayaran ang batas para payagan dito sa Magandang lugar na matutulog,” he said.
(No matter how rich he is, he cannot pay off the law to be allowed to stay and sleep in a nice place here.)
“Mabigat man sa loob ko dahil kaibigan ko talaga yan eh pinapakita lang talaga namin na wala kaming pinapanigan whether and Ombudsman o ako o ang PNP iisa ang trato namin sa batas,” he emphasized.
(Even though it is heavy on my heart because he is truly my friend, we are simply showing that we take no sides—whether it is the Ombudsman, myself, or the PNP, we all view and apply the law equally.)
Romualdez was rushed to the hospital at 4 pm, just a few moments before law enforcers received the warrant for his arrest, over a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and anxiety attack.
Remulla said armed guards are positioned within the hospital perimeter because Romualdez is now considered a person deprived of liberty.
Remulla said Romualdez looked “very pale” and is cabled with apparatuses.
Booking procedures
According to CIDG - National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui, they will be attaching Romualdez’ medical records along with photos to their report to the Sandiganbayan for the return of the warrant which would suffice for the meantime while the lawmaker is confined.
“Ang dami naman aparato na nakakabit sa katawan niya and we cannot forcibly na isama siya Third Division para lang sa return of warrant,” Guiagui told reporters.
(There are so many medical devices attached to his body, and we cannot forcibly bring him to the Third Division just for the return of the warrant.)
Guiagui said Romualdez was read his rights and completed booking procedures. In photos released of his arrest, the lawmaker did not wear the detainee shirt but rather just placed it over his chest since he could not be positioned upright to wear it.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division sheriff was also there to check if Romualdez was indeed in the hospital as well as his medical records.
Apart from Romualdez, also ordered arrested were former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, Romualdez's personal aide Joselyn Tragua Serenio and private individual Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation.
Guiagui said they are now on the hunt for the two other individuals as Co remains to be out of the country.
He said he has been receiving calls asking how things will turnout from today but so far, the CIDG has not received any surrender feelers yet from the other two.
Guiagui urged the two others to just surrender as the “long arms of the law will [surely] catch up to them.”
