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Martin Romualdez transferred to PGH for independent medical review
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was transferred to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) on September 12 for an independent medical examination. The transfer was ordered by the Sandiganbayan Third Division to verify Romualdez’s health status and determine if his continued confinement at the private Cardinal Santos Medical Center is medically necessary.
The court's directive follows a dispute between Romualdez’s medical team and government prosecutors. While Romualdez’s physicians cited severe conditions—including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes—as reasons for private hospital confinement, the Office of the Ombudsman and the DILG sought his transfer to a government facility. During hearings, Romualdez’s cardiologist, Dr. Rody Sy, warned that moving the former speaker carries a 10% to 20% risk of an untoward incident due to his unstable cardiovascular state.
Romualdez was arrested on September 7 in connection with a P7.44-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from government infrastructure and flood-control projects between 2022 and 2025. He remains under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology while hospitalized. Romualdez has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Entities
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology · Cardinal Santos Medical Center · Jesus Crispin Remulla · Martin Romualdez · Philippine General Hospital · Sandiganbayan · University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Romualdez has denied all allegations of wrongdoing regarding the plunder case. www.atinitonews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cardiologist Dr. Rody Sy warned that an immediate transfer of Romualdez could be considered ‘professional recklessness’ due to his high-risk cardiovascular condition. www.brigadanews.ph
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The court issued a commitment order placing Romualdez under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. www.atinitonews.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Sandiganbayan ordered the transfer of Martin Romualdez to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for an independent medical assessment. www.atinitonews.com · theglobalfilipinomagazine.com · cebudailynews.inquirer.net · newsinfo.inquirer.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] The admitting physician described the request for a clinical abstract shortly after admission as ‘unusual’ and testified he was barred from conducting a direct physical evaluation. www.brigadanews.ph · www.wazzuppilipinas.com
- [DISPUTED] Prosecutors accuse Romualdez and three others of receiving at least P7.44 billion in alleged kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025. www.atinitonews.com