Romualdez Must Leave Private Hospital, Government Warns

Plunder Charges and P7.44 Billion Alleged Kickbacks

Romualdez, a Leyte congressman and cousin of President Marcos, faces nonbailable plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan alongside former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co, staff member Jocelyn Sereño, and money changer corporation president Felicito Guevarra. According to charges prepared by the Office of the Ombudsman, the accused were accused of repeatedly receiving kickbacks, commissions, and pecuniary benefits worth at least P7.44 billion on at least 15 occasions between 2022 and 2025. The funds allegedly originated from contractors and entities involved in flood control and infrastructure projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, and were allegedly laundered using shell or dummy corporations and conduits.

In a statement issued on Monday, Romualdez’s lawyer and spokesperson Ade Fajardo said his client respects the courts and legal process. Fajardo stated that Romualdez was not asking for special treatment, noting that criminal liability must be determined by evidence presented in court under the rules and safeguards of the justice system.

Custody Battles and Medical Confinement at Cardinal Santos

Romualdez was served an arrest warrant and booked at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he had been admitted for anxiety attacks and a cardiovascular event hours before the warrant came out. Remulla announced that a motion to move the lawmaker to the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City would be filed on Wednesday to show that authorities will not allow him to remain at Cardinal Santos. Remulla added that court discretion will determine if the transfer is permitted, and doctors will be granted visitation and practicing rights at Camp Crame.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division emphasized in a Tuesday order that the court now holds custody of Romualdez. The court stated that only the judiciary can determine if medical concerns affect the implementation of the warrant, hospital confinement, or commitment to a jail facility. The court also issued a subpoena ordering Romualdez’s doctors—Rody Sy, Rogelio Libarres, Kurt Allen Sibayan, and Rosalio Torres—to appear on Thursday.

According to his motion for a continued hospital stay, Romualdez suffers from Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, primary hypothyroidism, and other illnesses. Remulla noted that Romualdez also suffered a stroke and a transient ischemic attack in July, describing the cerebrovascular event as not very serious. Remulla characterized Romualdez as a flight risk due to his possession of two private jets, three helicopters, and three yachts. Security arrangements at the hospital include two armed guards stationed outside his room 24/7, armed guards in the lobby, and a mobile patrol unit waiting outside.

DILG Response and Upcoming Legal Proceedings

The DILG released Romualdez’s official mug shot on Tuesday, showing him in a hospital bed wearing an orange PNP detainee shirt placed on top of his medical gown. The PNP explained that medical implements attached to his body prevented him from standing up or wearing the shirt normally during the booking procedure.

Remulla maintained that President Marcos issued zero instructions regarding how to treat the former House leader, acknowledging the difficulty for the President as Romualdez is his closest cousin. Remulla also recounted a brief conversation with Romualdez during the serving of the warrant where they spoke as University of the Philippines fraternity brothers, noting that Romualdez made no requests and understood the actions being taken.

Regarding the timing of the hospital admission prior to the warrant’s release, Remulla stated that authorities lacked the right to intercept an accused before a warrant is issued, adding that the accused and his lawyers got ahead of the process after knowing the charges were filed and the case was raffled.