MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday was staying at the infirmary ward of the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas following his transfer from the hospital.
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson JSupt. Jayrex Bustinera said Romualdez was transferred to the facility at around 10:49 p.m. Monday.
Martin Romualdez transferred to QC jail in Payatas
He underwent standard booking procedures, including mugshot-taking and fingerprinting, as well as an interview and basic orientation.
After the booking process, Romualdez was brought to the infirmary ward, where he is currently staying with three other persons deprived of liberty.
“Ang kanya pong cell placement ay base sa evaluation na rin ng kanyang mga doktor. At ganoon na din ‘yung evaluation ng independent doctors natin from PGH (Philippine General Hospital),” Bustinera said.
“Base sa kautusan ng Sandiganbayan Third Division, makikita po natin ‘yung mga rekomendasyon doon na hindi naman na niya kailangang ma-confine further sa hospital,” he added.
The BJMP said it is capable of providing the medical interventions he may need while in detention.
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NO AIRCON
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the infirmary is not air-conditioned but has exhaust fans to allow air circulation.
The room has hospital beds and a common bathroom.
“Because of his high blood pressure and his diabetes and others, nasa medical supervision pa siya. Kasi meron siyang evidence of prior cerebrovascular incidences na kailangan i-monitor doon,” Remulla said.
Among the medical recommendations for Romualdez is an electrocardiogram once a week.
Doctors also recommended the use of a CPAP machine, although Remulla said Romualdez has so far declined to use it.
BJMP personnel will regularly monitor his vital signs.
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In-house BJMP doctors will handle his medical supervision and may coordinate with his personal doctors or PGH should any concerns arise.
“Wala rin siyang nurse na permanent na sarili niya na kasama. Wala rin siyang bantay pero pwede pumunta doon between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m., except Mondays,” Remulla said.
His lawyers, meanwhile, will not be allowed inside the infirmary but may meet with him in a designated meeting room.
Remulla also pushed back against claims that Romualdez's medical accommodations amounted to special treatment, saying they were only following the recommendations of the Sandiganbayan and PGH.
“Ang sinusunod namin ay recommendations ng Sandiganbayan at ng PGH which we had nothing do with. So kung akala niyo over and above ‘yung treatment na binibigay , tingnan niyo ‘yung commitment orders at recommendations ng PGH,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that Romualdez was merely “dramatizing” his medical condition.
“May sakit talaga as according to the doctors. I am not qualified to give a medical opinion but what from the doctors in PGH said, he is fit to be confined sa BJMP but he needs medical supervision. So hindi drama ‘yun,” he said.
Romualdez will remain in the infirmary for as long as his doctors deem medical supervision necessary.
Authorities said his eventual transfer to a regular cell will depend on their evaluation.