Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced plans to conduct surprise inspections at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas to ensure that jail regulations are being properly observed.
Remulla said the inspections could take place at any time, including during early mornings or midnight, to monitor the facility and verify compliance with detention rules.
“Once in a while, at any given hour, whether it be morning or it’s midnight, just to check on everything and make sure all the rules are being followed in Payatas,” Remulla said during a press conference on Friday, November 6.
The announcement follows allegations that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was allegedly leaving the detention facility without authorization.
However, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) earlier denied the claims, saying its initial review found no recorded power or CCTV interruptions and no unauthorized movement by Romualdez outside the facility during the period examined.
The controversy also prompted broadcaster Ramon Tulfo to publicly retract his claims and apologize after admitting that he had received and shared incorrect information about Romualdez's alleged jail trips. Romualdez's camp subsequently welcomed the retraction.
