The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Tuesday set the hearing for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s motion to remain in hospital confinement while under custody on Thursday, September 10.

On Monday, the Leyte representative’s camp filed an urgent motion before the anti-graft court for his continued hospital confinement, reported RH 5 Val Gonzales.

The court reserves the sole authority to decide on the custody of the accused; in Romualdez’s case, whether his medical condition affects the implementation of his arrest warrant, particularly if he should remain confined or be transferred to a detention facility, said the Sandiganbayan.

In response to Romualdez’s motion, the Sandiganbayan tasked its Clerk of Court to issue a subpoena ad testificandum, a summons to give oral testimony, for Cardinal Santos Medical Center Drs. Rody Sy, Rogelio Libarres, Kurt Allen Sibayan, and Rosalio Torres to appear at the Thursday motion hearing at 8:30 a.m.

In addition, the court ordered the submission of all of Romualdez’s medical examination results and for the lawmaker himself to present himself to the court if his health allows.

On Tuesday morning, the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) submitted its return of warrant after carrying out the arrest of the former House leader, in accordance with court processes.