By Benjamin Cuaresma
The Office of the Ombudsman is set to mount a strong challenge against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez’s bid to remain in hospital detention, with prosecutors seeking an independent government medical assessment before any decision is made.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Wednesday that the prosecution will “strongly oppose” Romualdez’s request for continued confinement at Cardinal Santos Medical Center as he faces a P7.4-billion plunder case arising from alleged irregularities in flood-control projects.
Clavano said prosecutors will ask the Sandiganbayan to have a team of government doctors—not merely a single physician—evaluate Romualdez’s medical condition and determine whether his illnesses genuinely require continued hospitalization.
“The prosecutors will strongly oppose the motion,” Clavano said.
The government’s position is that hospital confinement should not continue if Romualdez’s medical conditions can be treated or monitored outside the hospital.
“If his illnesses can be managed from outside of the hospital, the prosecutors will move that he be immediately transferred to the regular detention facility as all other accused in non-bailable cases,” Clavano said.
Romualdez was arrested Monday at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, the same day the Ombudsman filed the P7.4-billion plunder case against him and three others over their alleged participation in a kickback scheme involving flood-control projects.
He then asked the Sandiganbayan Third Division to allow him to remain hospitalized while the case proceeds.
In a nine-page manifestation filed with the anti-graft court, Romualdez said he had been admitted to the hospital on September 7 and cited his medical history, including conditions involving his cardiovascular health and brain.
The government, meanwhile, is also seeking to bring Romualdez under PNP custody.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Tuesday that the Philippine National Police would ask the court to authorize Romualdez’s transfer from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Meantime, kami po ay magmo-motion for custody ni Martin Romualdez para dalhin sa Camp Crame hospital,” Remulla said.
The dispute over Romualdez’s medical confinement will come before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday, September 10, when the court is scheduled to hear his request for continued hospital detention.
The anti-graft court has ordered Romualdez to attend the hearing, putting his medical condition and the government’s proposed custody arrangement directly before the court for determination.
ia/xf
