‘Big risk’ to transfer Romualdez to another hospital, says witness
MANILA, Philippines — Despite having no scheduled surgery or invasive procedure, it would be a “big risk” for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to be transferred to another hospital, a witness told the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday.
Dr. Rosalio Torres, overall coordinator at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, remarked when cross-examined by Romualdez’s counsel Jose Roy III during the hearing on a motion for his continued confinement in the private hospital.
During the cross-examination, Torres said Romualdez has had no scheduled invasive or emergency surgery since his confinement on Monday.
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READ: Romualdez under BJMP, but transfer on hold
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Instead, the doctor said Romualdez could only undergo intensive monitoring, but he quickly clarified that he was speaking in his field of expertise, which is hematology.
Roy then asked about Romualdez’s cardiological and neurological condition, to which the witness responded: “No, sir, that is what I wanted to clarify. I would consider other factors, so I would not answer categorically for myself.”
“It is a big risk to transfer him to another hospital,” Torres also said.
Romualdez was admitted to the private hospital on Monday due to chest pain the same day.
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In his motion filed on Monday, Romualdez said he is suffering from Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, primary hypothyroidism, and other illnesses.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, and two others hours after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the information containing the formal charges. According to the information containing the formal charges filed by prosecutors before the anti-graft court, Romualdez and Co were charged with “repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least fifteen (15) occasions, commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, ‘commitments’ and/or other pecuniary benefits” worth at least P7.44 billion. /coa
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