Romualdez taken into BJMP custody, stays at San Juan hospital

Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Hospital. INQUIRER.net / JASON SIGALES MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has taken custody of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Custody was formally turned over to the jail bureau at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, according to the BJMP in a statement sent to reporters. “Rep. Romualdez will be accorded the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no VIP or special treatment,” the bureau maintained. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sandiganbayan orders BJMP to take custody of Romualdez Sandiganbayan Third Division clerk of court Dennis Pulma said, Romualdez’s “confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center [in San Juan City] will remain until further orders from the court.” Romualdez was confined in the hospital for hours due to a variety of purported ailments before he was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan for plunder. The PNP took custody of Romualdez on Monday night, serving his arrest warrant and subjecting him to booking procedures while he was in his hospital bed. His camp has since filed a motion to keep him in hospital confinement, but the anti-graft court has yet to resolve the matter. Romualdez is accused of “repeatedly receiving… commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, commitments and/or other pecuniary benefits” worth P7.44 billion through various government projects from 2022 to 2025. /mcm Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.