Following an intense six-hour court hearing examining his health, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was ordered transferred by the Sandiganbayan Third Division from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital for an independent medical examination on Saturday, September 12.
The anti-graft court’s directive comes as Romualdez faces a P7.4-billion non-bailable plunder case in relation to the flood control mess. The legal battle over his detention took a sharp turn on Friday, September 11, when Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl Miranda, the court division chairman, issued the transfer order during the second day of the court’s hearing for the lawmaker’s motion on Romualdez’s continued hospital confinement. The former House speaker remained in hospital confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center following his arrest on Monday, September 7.
Medical Testimony and Cardinal Santos Medical Center Debates
During the hearings, the defense presented five of Romualdez’s doctors from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to testify on his cardiological, neurological, and psychiatric conditions, highlighting the stress he has experienced and the value of continuity of care. Dr. Rosalio Torres, the overall coordinator of Romualdez’s health team, said that the lawmaker has no scheduled surgery or invasive medical procedure. But when asked if there was no serious threat to Romualdez’s health that needed immediate intervention, Torres disagreed, citing the evaluation and recommendation of the specialists in the team.
Cardiologist Dr. Rody Sy told the anti-graft court that Romualdez was cardiovascularly stable on Monday and Tuesday, but he experienced a spike in blood pressure to 170 over 100 at around 5 pm to 6 pm on Thursday. Romualdez was earlier ordered to appear before the court on Thursday should his condition permit. Sy said he advanced the lawmaker’s medication to treat that episode, with the psychiatrist adjusting his sleeping pills. Neurologist Dr. Rogelio Libarnes said that sleep deprivation doubles the risk of stroke. Dr. Lourdes Ignacio, the psychiatrist in the team, also told the court that she diagnosed Romualdez with depressive disorder with anxiety.
“We wish walang mangyaring masama (We hope nothing will happen to him),”
Ade Fajardo, one of Romualdez’s lawyers, told the media after the announcement of the court order.
During the hearing, it was Sy who highlighted that Romualdez’s stress factors must be first controlled and recommended to the court four to six weeks before the former House speaker is transferred to any health facility. The doctor added that Romualdez must have immediate medical attention and have access to angiographic facilities within one hour if he would have a heart attack. However, the court’s order ultimately mandated the transfer for an independent assessment.
Independent Assessment Protocol at UP-PGH
Under the terms of the court order, Romualdez will be discharged from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Saturday, September 12, and then stay at UP-PGH in Manila until further orders from the anti-graft court. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Philippine National Police, and the Office of the Judiciary Marshals would coordinate with the UP-PGH in bringing Romualdez to the hospital via an ambulance with the required medical equipment, according to the court order.
To guarantee impartiality, the Sandiganbayan ordered UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi and/or any of his duly authorized representatives to conduct the medical examination without the direct or indirect participation or influence of accused Romualdez’s doctors at Cardinal who may be connected to UP-PGH.
This independent evaluation follows a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan on Thursday directing the detention of Romualdez at the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory in Payatas.
Next Steps and Revised Court Schedule
The legal timeline continues as UP-PGH doctors were directed to submit their report and recommendation on Sunday, September 13, and appear before the court on Monday, September 14, as to whether there is an imperative need for the continued hospital confinement of the accused.
Daily medical reports on Romualdez’s health will also be submitted to the court.
In light of the ongoing medical evaluations, Romualdez’s arraignment and pre-trial were reset to Wednesday, September 16.
