An ambulance carrying former House Speaker Martin Romualdez arrives at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is now confined at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, where he underwent an independent medical examination *on Saturday.
The examination, ordered by the Sandiganbayan Third Division, will determine whether Romualdez requires continued confinement.
An ambulance believed to be carrying Romualdez entered the hospital compound at around 8:35 a.m. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera confirmed the arrival of the congressman.
Earlier, at about 7 a.m., transport vehicles and an ambulance from the BJMP arrived at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
Past 8 a.m., BJMP personnel were seen stationed outside the hospital's outpatient care center where Romualdez was expected to exit. Minutes later, the officers suddenly dispersed and boarded their transport vehicles.
Two ambulances then followed, with the former Speaker reportedly inside the last vehicle. Members of the media attempted to get a glimpse of Romualdez, but the ambulance curtains were drawn.
Romualdez had been confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City since Monday, when he was arrested over a plunder charge in relation to an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
Doctors previously told the Sandiganbayan on Thursday that Romualdez's condition was serious but did not warrant medical admission.
Based on the medical abstract, Romualdez is suffering from:
•hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
•unstable angina, coronary artery disease, post percutaneous coronary intervention
•cerebrovascular ischemic disease
•type 2 diabetes mellitus
•hypertension
•dyslipidemia
•primary hypothyroidism
The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered the independent medical examination "without direct or indirect participation or influence" of Romualdez's doctors who may be connected to PGH.
He is set to remain confined at UP-PGH until further orders from the court.
The PGH said they have formed a team of specialists who will conduct the medical examinations.
”Mananatiling obhetibo at propesyonal ang PGH sa pagsasagawa ng pagsusuri, alinsunod sa pinakamataas na pamantayan sa larangan ng medisina,” the health facility said.
The PGH added that the specialists will come up with a comprehensive medical report which will be submitted to the Sandiganbayan on Sunday afternoon. It will be the basis of the hospital’s recommendation on whether or not Romualdez should be confined.
It likewise said that it will not publicize the results to keep the patient’s medical information confidential.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda also directed the independent doctors to submit daily reports on Romualdez's condition and to attend the court hearing scheduled on Monday, September 14.
Meanwhile, the arraignment or formal reading of charges against Romualdez has been reset to Wednesday, September 16.
The court earlier issued a commitment order to Quezon City Jail warden JSupt. Maria Lourdes Pacion, stating that Romualdez will be held there as a detention prisoner.
"The BJMP will await further court orders and will implement his transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City, upon order of the court,” Bustinera said.
In a hearing at the Sandiganbayan last week, Cardinal Santos Medical Center team manager Dr. Rosalio Torres said Romualdez was considered at high risk for a heart attack.
Romualdez’s cardiologist, Dr. Rody Sy, recommended a four-to six-week confinement before transferring the congressman to another facility for evaluation, citing his coronary condition.
Neurologist Dr. Rogelio Libarnes, meanwhile, said the House representative is “very depressed” and has been unable to sleep well.
Romualdez’s psychiatrist, Dr. Lourdes Ignacio, said his depression may worsen his other health conditions.
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