Leyte First st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez elected as the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the opening of the first regular session of the 20th Congress on July 28, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — The Sandiganbayan on Monday ordered former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH).
The order came after UP-PGH doctors found Romualdez “clinically stable” and said he does not require continued hospitalization.
Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, medical director of UP-PGH, took the witness stand during the Sandiganbayan Third Division’s hearing on Romualdez’s motion for continued confinement.
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Legaspi and his authorized representatives were ordered by Associate Justice Karl Miranda on Friday, Sept. 11, to conduct an independent medical examination of Romualdez to verify the findings and tests conducted by Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he was initially confined.
“We formed a team of 12 doctors all covering various conditions he (Romualdez) was diagnosed to be suffering from another hospital,” Legaspi said.
When Associate Justice Ronald Moreno asked if Romualdez could be discharged from the hospital at any time, Legaspi answered in the affirmative.
Romualdez underwent a dobutamine stress test, which stimulates the heart to contract. The test showed that he is at low risk of a heart attack.
Legaspi said Romualdez has a 3 percent chance of suffering a heart attack every year within the next decade, which he described as “not very high.”
He added that Romualdez continues to have chronic coronary syndrome, but their examination ruled out unstable angina, a condition in which the heart does not receive enough blood flow and oxygen.
Legaspi also said there was evidence of a previous stroke, but Romualdez was not found to have suffered a new stroke.
He said Romualdez’s Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and hypothyroidism are controlled but require continuous monitoring.
He added that Romualdez has no acute cerebrovascular disease, although infarcts, or areas of tissue damaged by interrupted blood flow, were found.
Meanwhile, Legaspi said their psychiatrist confirmed Romualdez’s diagnosis of major depressive disorder and anxiety.
He said Romualdez needs continued psychiatric treatment, but not necessarily on an inpatient basis, since he has no grave inability to maintain basic self-care and does not pose a risk of suicidal harm.
Romualdez was also found to have severe sleep apnea. Legaspi said he was recommended to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during sleep and undergo regular follow-ups with a sleep specialist.
Legaspi said these conditions can be managed outside the hospital.
“’Yung aming multi-disciplinary team, inisa-isa namin ang mga sakit na ito at wala ni isa sa mga sakit na ito ang nangangailangan na nasa ospital para magamot. Pero kailangan pa rin mabigyan ng atensyon,” Legaspi told reporters during an ambush interview.
“Kaya meron kaming kondisyon na pinakiusap sa korte para masiguro ang kanyang kaligtasan at kalusugan ay maibigay,” he added.
Dr. Henry Fabro, a physician at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), told the court that their facilities are sufficient for cardiac monitoring and have sockets for Romualdez’s CPAP machine.
He added that 23 to 24 nurses are on duty around the clock at the Payatas Jail and are ready to bring Romualdez to the nearest hospital should the need arise.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER TRANSFER
Once transferred to the jail, Romualdez will undergo the standard commitment and booking procedures, similar to other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). He will undergo an interview, confiscation of unauthorized items, mugshot-taking, medical history checking, and cell assignment, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said.
“The plan is to transfer within the day. Dapat as soon as possible, yun ang instruction din sa ating BJMP personnel for public interest. Pangalawa pagdating niya sa jail dadaan siya sa standard operating procedure ng commitment at booking procedure,” BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said.
“May naihanda na tayong mga selda, at of course titignan natin depende sa lalabas na order kung may mga consideration doon,” he said.
Each cell at the facility has a capacity of 10 PDLs. The cell prepared for Romualdez is about 50 square meters and has five double-deck beds.
The jail currently houses more than 3,200 PDLs.
The BJMP said it was also considering Romualdez’s medical condition and security concerns in determining his placement. Under BJMP policy, PDLs with certain medical or psychiatric conditions and comorbidities should not be left alone in a cell.
Visitation at the facility is allowed from Tuesday to Sunday. The BJMP has yet to receive a list of individuals authorized to visit Romualdez.
'FACE THE CHARGES'
In a statement, the Leyte congressman said he respects the court's decision
"I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court. That has not changed," Romualdez said.
Philippine General Hospital medical director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi testified earlier in the day that Romualdez’s continued inpatient confinement was not medically required as his risk of an impending heart attack is low based on their independent medical evaluation.
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Legaspi said Romualdez’s chronic coronary syndrome remained present but his unstable angina has been ruled out.
Romualdez’s condition can be managed outside the hospital, the PGH official said.
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Legaspi also confirmed that Romualdez has major depressive disorder and anxiety, which need continued psychiatric treatment.
However, Legaspi said the former House speaker is not in need of hospital admission because he has no grave instability to maintain basic self-care and he does not pose risk of suicidal harm.
Dr. Henry Fabro — a physician at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, which has custody of Romualdez — also told the Sandiganbayan that their facilities are sufficient for cardiac monitoring.
He said the Quezon City Jail in Payatas has around 24 nurses on duty around the clock.
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