Martin Romualdez now in Payatas jail a week after arrest

PROBE. Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez appears before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure on October 14, 2025.

James Patrick Cruz/Rappler

(1st UPDATE) The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division ordered Romualdez's transfer of custody from PGH to Payatas after PGH doctors found that he is in stable condition and no longer in need of hospital confinement

AT A GLANCE

• Former speaker Martin Romualdez is detained at the New Quezon City Jail, following his arrest for plunder related to a flood control scandal.
• He was transferred from the Philippine General Hospital to Payatas jail after doctors confirmed he was stable and no longer required hospital care.
• Romualdez is scheduled for arraignment on September 16, where he will enter a plea regarding the charges against him.

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MANILA, Philippines – Former speaker Martin Romualdez, the cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is now detained at the New Quezon City Jail a week after his arrest over plunder related to the multi-billion flood control scandal.

Romualdez was transferred to the Payatas jail at around 10:49 pm on Monday, September 14. This was confirmed to reporters by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera.

Bustinera told Rappler Monday night that ongoing procedures for Romualdez include: “medical evaluation, fingerprint, mugshot, interview, and orientation.”

Earlier in the day, the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division ordered Romualdez’s transfer of custody from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to Payatas after PGH doctors found that the former speaker is in stable condition and no longer in need of hospital confinement.

PGH medical director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said Romualdez has “no impending risk of heart attack.”

Romualdez was able to stall his Payatas detention for a week because he got confined in Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City before the issuance of a warrant. He also filed a motion before the 3rd Division to allow his continued hospital confinement.

The Court then held hearings to determine the real score on his health.

According to Romualdez’s attending physician and hematologist Dr. Rosalio Torres, he ordered the former speaker’s admission on September 7 due to the latter’s complaints about chest pain.

His admitting physician, Dr. Kurt Allen Sibayan, said Romualdez’s condition was not an emergency case and the lawmaker did not go through the emergency room. He also revealed that he was unable to see nor examine Romualdez because Torres barred him from entering the room.

On September 11, the division ordered Romualdez’s transfer from San Juan City to PGH to undergo independent medical examination. Legaspi said their team of experts finished the examination over the weekend and submitted their report to the court on Sunday.

Although they confirmed some illnesses like sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, and major depressive disorder, among others, Legaspi said the former speaker may already be discharged from confinement.

Romualdez will finally face the court on Wednesday, September 16, for his arraignment. This is the phase where the lawmaker will be read his case and will enter either a guilty or not guilty plea.

If Romualdez chooses to plead not guilty, the trial will proceed. – Rappler.com