Rep. Martin Romualdez delivers a speech as he steps down from his post as Speaker of the House of Representatives, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was turned over to the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) from the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at a private hospital in San Juan City on Thursday afternoon.
The BJMP said the turnover was completed at around 4:15 p.m., pursuant to the commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
The development came hours after the Sandiganbayan ordered the BJMP to take custody of Romualdez.
“Rep. Romualdez will be accorded the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no VIP or special treatment,” BJMP spokesperson JSupt. Jayrex Bustinera said in a statement.
Sandiganbayan: Romualdez to remain at Cardinal Santos for now
Romualdez, however, remains at Cardinal Santos Medical Center for now.
The BJMP said that once he is medically cleared for discharge and the court orders his transfer, he will be brought to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City.
The BJMP earlier prepared for both scenarios, namely, Romualdez remaining at the hospital under its custody or being transferred to the Quezon City Jail.
“Parte ho ‘yan ng aming preparation measures dahil ho kung ililipat ho ng custody, ay may nakahanda ho tayong tauhan. Kung siya man ho ay mananatili sa ospital o kaya ay ililipat sa Payatas sa Quezon City Jail, ay ready ho lahat ng tao at ang sasakyan,” Bustinera said.
He said the number of BJMP personnel who would be assigned to guard Romualdez at the hospital cannot yet be disclosed for security reasons.
Under BJMP protocol, hospital confinement of detainees is generally monitored by escorts who maintain visual contact with the patient.
“[We have] security para i-complement ‘yung pagpapalitan ng duty. Ang protocol ng BJMP, sa lahat ng nao-ospital or hospital confinement, sa loob ho ‘yan at within visual site ng ating escort o nagbabantay,” Bustinera said.
The BJMP plans to send its own doctor to coordinate with Romualdez’s attending physicians.
Bustinera also welcomed the possibility of an independent medical team examining Romualdez, saying this would help ensure transparency and prevent any perception of special treatment.
“Para sa public interest, of course. And we want to be transparent and accountable to the public. Para wala naman pong itatago. We don't want to send a message of any special preferential treatment. We want to be fair to everyone,” he said.
Romualdez's medical condition serious, but not an emergency — doctors
The BJMP is also willing to provide daily medical bulletins, according to Bustinera.
POSSIBLE TRANSFER TO QC JAIL
The Quezon City Jail has already identified vacant cells in preparation for Romualdez's possible transfer.
Bustinera said the facility has been preparing for the former lawmaker since earlier, following instructions from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
But Romualdez's exact cell assignment will still depend on the results of the standard booking, commitment and risk-assessment procedures.
“Katulad din ng ibang mga nauna, nag-u-undergo ho sila ng booking and commitment procedures and risk assessment. Kung ano po ang lumabas doon, anong ideal or recommended selda, susundin lang din naman,” he said.
Romualdez still 'medically unfit to travel' ahead of Sandiganbayan hearing—PNP
The BJMP will consider his medical condition, security concerns and the profiles of other detainees before determining where he will be placed.
If transferred to the jail, Romualdez could potentially be placed in the same facility as several individuals facing cases related to alleged flood control anomalies.
Bustinera, however, said it was too early to say whether Romualdez would be placed in the same cell or near other accused persons.
He explained that cell assignments generally depend on available space, date of commitment, health considerations and security assessments.
Each cell has a capacity of up to 10 detainees.