Martin Romualdez arrested on plunder charges

Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested on plunder charges related to an alleged P7.44 billion kickback scheme involving flood control projects. Romualdez was initially confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, citing health issues including cardiovascular events, unstable blood pressure, and anxiety attacks.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla have indicated plans to request a transfer from the Sandiganbayan to the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) to ensure he does not receive special treatment. PNP officials clarified that the PNPGH does not offer executive suites and that Romualdez would be placed in an ordinary room.

While Romualdez has requested to remain in his current hospital confinement, the Office of the Ombudsman has opposed the motion, calling for independent assessments by government doctors to determine his fitness to face the Sandiganbayan.