Sandiganbayan orders BJMP officials to testify on Romualdez's detention status

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to testify before the anti-graft court on Thursday regarding the status of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in detention.

Sandiganbayan Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma said the order was issued amid reports that the former Speaker, who is facing plunder charges in connection with alleged kickbacks from government funds, was being allowed to leave detention at the New Quezon City jail.

Romualdez is facing a P7.4 billion plunder charge alongside former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, his personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation.

“In light of the recent online news articles, the Sandiganbayan Third Division has issued a Resolution ordering Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes P. Pacion and Medical Officer Henry N. Fabro, both of BJMP City Jail-Male Dormitory, Payatas, Q.C., to personally appear and testify tomorrow, November 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., re: the current status of accused Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez's custody at BJMP Payatas,” Pulma said in a statement.

The BJMP earlier said it is investigating the reports that Romualdez has been able to leave detention and come back as he pleases.

At the same time, the BJMP has also assured the public that Romualdez has always been in detention by releasing a video of Romualdez, in his detainee uniform, walking around the New Quezon City jail building. —NB, GMA News