Former Speaker Martin Romualdez has been served his warrant of arrest and has undergone the booking procedure at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said on Monday night.
According to Katrina Son's report on "24 Oras," Remulla said Romualdez was read the warrant and his rights in the presence of his lawyer.
A child of Romualdez was said to be in the room when he was served the warrant.
Remulla said the Leyte congressman is also being examined by doctors of the Philippine National Police and doctors from the hospital. They are expected to prepare a report tomorrow for submission to the Sandiganbayan.
“He said Romualdez's condition will continue to be monitored until he is fit to be presented before the court.
Police have secured former Speaker Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, where he was taken on Monday afternoon after suffering "a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack," Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jovic" Remulla told reporters.
Remulla went to the hospital early Monday night with PNP chief Police General Jose Melecio Nartatez to serve on Romualdez the warrant of arrest the Sandiganbayan issued after the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against the Leyte congressman, former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and two others.
He said Romualdez is considered a person deprived of liberty once he is read his rights.
"According to the doctors, he is suffering from a cardiovascular event. Unstable ang kanyang blood pressure and [he is] having an anxiety attack," Remulla said.
“However, we made it clear that, like in Secretary Bonoan’s case, we will check every day hanggang he’s well enough to be presented to court," he added.
“In the meantime, meron kaming armed guards outside his door. Meron kaming armed police outside the hospital and in the lobby," Remulla said.
P7.4B plunder charge
The Office of the Ombudsman on Monday filed a P7.4-billion plunder charge against Romualdez, former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, who is the personal assistant of Romualdez, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra, president of Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation.
“By repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least 15 occasions, commissions, shares, percentages. kickbacks, "commitments." and/or other pecuniary benefits aggregating at least P7.4 billion by reason or on account of the respective public offices and positions of Romualdez and Co, including monies derived from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025, which monies were delivered to properties owned by, occupied by, or associated with Romualdez and received by Serenio and other persons acting for and in his behalf,” the criminal information read.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division hours later on Monday issued warrants of arrest against them.
"The issuance of a warrant of arrest signifies only that, after personally evaluating the records, the Court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charged," the Third Division said.
"Probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest exists when the facts and circumstances alleged by the prosecution would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that an offense has been committed by the person sought to be arrested," it added.
Remulla said the hospital arrest was not a "permanent situation" for the former Speaker.
"But we assure you, we assure you, he cannot hide behind his wealth," Remulla said.
He said Romualdez's cell at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas is waiting if the Sandiganbayan would commit him to the detention facility.
Fair shake
A lawyer for Romualdez said he would face all allegations against him in connection with his alleged links to the kickback scheme involving the flood control mess.
“We respect the courts and the legal process. Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez will face the allegations against him in accordance with law,” Atty. Ade Fajardo, counsel of Romualdez, said in a statement.
“We recognize the public interest surrounding this case. But ultimately, criminal liability must be determined by the evidence presented in court, under the rules and safeguards of our justice system,” he added.
He also said that Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., only asked for a fair shake. –NB, GMA News
Facts Only
* Martin Romualdez was served a warrant of arrest over plunder charges.
* The booking procedure occurred at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
* Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla informed reporters about the proceedings.
* Romualdez was read his rights in the presence of his lawyer.
* A child was reportedly in the room when the warrant was served.
* Former Speaker Romualdez was examined by doctors from the PNP and the hospital.
* Doctors are expected to prepare a report for the Sandiganbayan.
* Romualdez suffered a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack.
* Police and medical personnel were present outside the hospital.
* The plunder charge is for P7.4 billion involving Romualdez, Zaldy Co, Joselyn Tragua Serenio, and Felicito Cristobal Guevarra related to government projects from 2022 to 2025.
* The Sandiganbayan issued warrants of arrest against the accused parties.
Executive Summary
Full Take
The narrative pivots on the concurrent legal proceedings and the health status of the accused. The physical detention, even temporary hospitalization, juxtaposed with the ongoing legal process for a P7.4-billion plunder charge suggests a tension between state accountability and individual well-being. The statement by the lawyer emphasizing respect for due process places the focus squarely on the evidentiary burden required in court, framing the current situation as a deferral of judgment rather than an admission of guilt or innocence. The mention that monitoring will continue until fitness for court suggests a formal mechanism acknowledging personal circumstances alongside legal obligations. The broader implication is how governmental mechanisms manage high-profile cases where financial impropriety intersects with public health concerns and constitutional rights to a fair trial. The pattern observed involves using physical detention—even in a hospital setting—as a backdrop against the procedural formality of judicial warrants, aiming to manage public narrative while processes unfold outside immediate public view.
What assurances are embedded in the statement regarding ongoing monitoring, and how does this commitment interact with the demands for transparency in high-stakes financial cases? Does the mention of security arrangements merely serve as an indicator of heightened sensitivity or suggest a potential risk management strategy surrounding the individuals involved? What historical precedents exist regarding the balancing act between immediate judicial action and long-term health considerations for high-profile defendants in accountability matters?