.jpg)
Then Speaker Martin Romualdez delivers a speech, September 17, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATED) — 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.
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.
Marcos denies Romualdez arrest is staged drama
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.
Court orders BJMP: Take custody of Romualdez
The court later ordered Romualdez's transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
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.
Remulla tells Romualdez to ‘face the music’ on flood control charges
RELATED VIDEOS: