Former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez has been placed in the infirmary ward of the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City, along with three other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday, Sept. 15.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Remulla said Romualdez’s transfer to the jail was made upon the recommendation of the Sandiganbayan and the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
He said the transfer was based on PGH’s assessment that Romualdez was “fit to be confined” at the jail, provided that he remains under medical supervision.
”Ang recommendation ng PGH doctor, parang ang nakalagay doon ay he is fit to be confined but has to be under medical supervision,” Remulla stressed.
Romualdez does not require hospital confinement but needs continued medical supervision due to health conditions including high blood pressure, diabetes, and a history of cerebrovascular incidents.
Remulla said Romualdez is required to undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG) once a week. A Sighing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (SiPAP) machine has also been recommended, although Romualdez has so far declined to use it.
The former Speaker was transferred from the PGH to the New Quezon City Jail on Monday night, September 14.
The DILG chief described the infirmary as a roughly 50-square-meter area equipped with hospital beds. It is not air-conditioned and has a larger exhaust fan to circulate air. The facility also has a common bathroom.
“Yung infirmary po, hindi air-conditioned. Meron siyang exhaust fan palabas at paloob para mag-circulate ang hangin,” Remulla said.
BJMP in-house doctors will conduct routine monitoring, including checking Romualdez’s vital signs. More specialized procedures, such as his weekly EKG, may be coordinated with PGH or his personal physicians when necessary.
DILG secretary said Romualdez’s doctors will not stay with him permanently but may visit during the jail’s visiting hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., except on Mondays.
“If there are any concerns, papadala namin sa regular doctors niya at sa PGH and they will evaluate kung ano ang kailangan mangyari,” Remulla said.
He added that any decision to transfer Romualdez to a regular jail cell will depend on the assessment of his doctors.
