Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been arrested after the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) served the warrant of arrest against him on Monday, September 7, in connection with the ₱7.4-billion plunder case linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
The warrant was served at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where Romualdez is currently confined, RH Edniel Parrosa reported.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Romualdez had been read his Miranda Rights following the implementation of the arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
“After we read him his rights, he is now considered a person deprived of liberty,” Remulla said during a briefing.
According to Remulla, Romualdez was brought to the hospital at around 4 p.m. Monday after experiencing what he described as a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack.
“He is suffering from a cardiovascular [event], he’s having unstable blood pressure, and having an anxiety attack,” Remulla said.
The Interior secretary said government authorities will continue monitoring Romualdez’s medical condition before he is eventually brought before the court and transferred to the Quezon City Jail, once deemed medically fit.
Remulla said armed police personnel have been deployed outside Romualdez’s hospital room and in the hospital lobby to ensure security while he remains under custody.
The PNP has also deployed its own physician to assess Romualdez’s condition in coordination with his attending doctors.
Remulla emphasized that Romualdez’s hospitalization would not exempt him from the legal process.
“He cannot hide behind his wealth. Kahit gano'ng kayaman siya, hindi niya kaya bayaran ang batas para payagan siya dito sa magandang lugar na 'yan,” Remulla said.
He added that Romualdez’s stay at the hospital is not considered permanent and that his detention facility is awaiting him once the court determines that he can be transferred.
The arrest follows the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s issuance earlier Monday of warrants of arrest and hold departure orders (HDOs) against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co, and two other accused in the plunder case.
The case concerns alleged irregularities involving ₱7.4 billion in flood control projects and kickbacks. The other accused include Joselyn Tragua Serenio and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.
Meanwhile, there has been no reported arrest yet of Romualdez’s three co-accused, according to the latest information from the PNP-CIDG.
Romualdez’s camp earlier said it was not seeking special treatment, but was instead asking for the same due process and fair proceedings afforded to any Filipino facing the law.
The Sandiganbayan has stressed that the issuance of an arrest warrant is based on a finding of probable cause and does not constitute a determination of guilt. All accused remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a full and impartial trial.
Authorities said the legal proceedings will continue in accordance with the Constitution, applicable laws, and the Rules of Court.
