Romualdez directed to attend Sandiganbayan hearing on Sept. 10, 2026

The Sandiganbayan has directed former Speaker Martin Romualdez to appear before a hearing on September 10, 2026 on his motion for continued hospital confinement.

Romualdez has remained hospitalized at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City since Monday, when police served a warrant of arrest issued by the anti-graft court over a P7.4 billion plunder case.

Late Monday, his camp filed a petition before the Sandiganbayan's Third Division to grant him "continued hospital confinement" due to health issues.

"Accused Romualdez is directed to appear before the court should his condition permit," the Sandiganbayan said.

"Accused Romualdez and/or his doctors are likewise directed to furnish the court during the said hearing the results of all pertinent medical examinations of accused Romualdez," it added.

“It should be emphasized that the custody of accused Romualdez belongs to the court. If there are concerns regarding the accused's medical condition, it is only this court that can determine whether such condition affects the implementation of the warrant, the confinement of the accused at a hospital, or his commitment to a jail facility. Considering the allegations in accused Romualdez's Manifestation and Urgent Motion which raise serious concerns on his medical condition, the court deems it proper to set the Manifestation and Urgent Motion for hearing on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:30 in the morning,” the Sandiganbayan also said.

The Third Division order also directed the Clerk of Court to "issue subpoena ad testificandum to Dr. Rody Sy, Dr. Rogelio Libarres, Dr. Kurt Allen V. Sibayan, and Dr. Rosalio P. Torres of Cardinal for the hearing on September 10, 2026, and to furnish PNP CIDG-NCR, as well as the foregoing doctors copies of this Order." —LDF, GMA News