Remulla: No drama in handling arrest of Romualdez

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday maintained that there was no drama in how authorities handled the arrest and commitment of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.

“Kung akala niyo over and above yung treatment na binibigay, tingnan niyo yung commitment orders at recommendations ng PGH (Philippine General Hospital). Yun lang ang sinusunod namin. Nothing more and nothing less,” Remulla said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

(If you think we went over and above with his treatment, look at the commitment orders and the PGH’s recommendations. Those are all we follow. Nothing more and nothing less.)

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READ: Romualdez at QC jail infirmary with 3 other PDLs — Remulla

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“He is really sick. May sakit talaga, as according to the doctors… From what the doctors in PGH said, he is fit to be confined sa BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology), but he needs medical supervision. So, hindi drama yun,” he stressed.

(He is really sick. He is actually sick, according to the doctors… According to doctors at PGH, he is fit to be confined with the BJMP, but he needs medical supervision. So, that wasn’t drama.)

Romualdez was arrested while under hospital confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City last Sept. 7.

He was transferred to the PGH five days later.

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On Monday, Romualdez’ PGH doctors told the Sandiganbayan that he could be discharged.

Hours later, the BJMP transferred Romualdez to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

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The former House Speaker faces a plunder case over over P7 billion in alleged kickbacks from various government projects from 2022 to 2025. /jpv