Ombudsman to oppose Martin Romualdez's motion for hospital detention

The Office of the Ombudsman will "strongly oppose" the motion of former speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez for hospital detention, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Wednesday.

"The prosecutors will strongly oppose the motion. In fact, the prosecutors will ask that not just one doctor but a team of government doctors assess whether or not the illnesses declared need confinement or can be managed outside of the hospital," Clavano said.

"If his illnesses can be managed from outside of the hospital, the prosecutors will move that he be immediately transferred to the regular detention facility as all other accused in non-bailable cases," he added.

Romualdez was arrested on Monday at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, the same day that the Office of the Ombudsman filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against him and three others over their alleged involvement in a kickback scheme on flood control projects.

The former speaker on Monday sought the approval of the Sandiganbayan Third Division to grant him "continued hospital confinement" as he faces his plunder case.

In a nine-page manifestation addressed to the Sandiganbayan, Romualdez said that he was admitted to the hospital on September 7, 2026, and cited a medical history concerning his cardiovascular health and brain condition.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will ask the court to allow the transfer of Romualdez from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

"Meantime, kami po ay magmo-motion for custody ni Martin Romualdez para dalhin sa Camp Crame hospital," Remulla said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

(For the meantime, we will be filing a motion for custody of Martin Romualdez to be taken to Camp Crame hospital.)

The Sandiganbayan has set a court hearing on Thursday, September 10, to determine if there is a need for Romualdez to remain under hospital arrest.

The anti-graft court also directed Romualdez to attend the Sept. 10 hearing on his motion for continued hospital confinement. —KG, GMA News