Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is being considered a “flight risk” by the Philippine National Police while he remains confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center following his arrest on a plunder case linked to alleged flood control anomalies.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Romualdez is under tight security because he reportedly owns two private jets, three helicopters and three yachts.
According to Remulla, Romualdez is being guarded around the clock, with two armed guards stationed outside his hospital room and other police personnel positioned inside and outside the medical facility.
Remulla also defended the mugshot of Romualdez, which showed the former House speaker lying on a hospital bed.
The interior secretary explained that Romualdez could not wear the required orange shirt because he was receiving intravenous treatment. The shirt was instead placed over him while the booking process was carried out.
Remulla said Romualdez’s condition remains unstable. He also said Romualdez experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack in July.
PNP doctors will examine Romualdez daily while he remains hospitalized, according to Remulla. Authorities are also expected to file a motion seeking his transfer to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame.
The issue of Romualdez’s continued confinement at Cardinal Santos Medical Center is also before the Sandiganbayan Third Division.
The court has ordered the prosecution to comment within two days on an urgent motion filed by Romualdez’s legal team. The motion seeks permission for him to remain confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
The developments come as authorities maintain security around Romualdez during his hospital confinement while the court considers his request to remain at the medical facility.t
