By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is set to leave the Philippine General Hospital and be placed in detention at the New Quezon City Jail after doctors found him medically stable, the Sandiganbayan said Monday.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division decided after PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi testified that Romualdez could already be discharged following an evaluation by about a dozen specialists.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda then directed that Romualdez’s custody be transferred to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory.
Romualdez had been confined at PGH since Saturday after previously being discharged from Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
The anti-graft court had earlier directed PGH to conduct an independent medical assessment of the former lawmaker’s condition before determining where he should be held.
Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said his client would comply with the court’s directive.
“He respects this [court] and he will follow the law,” Fajardo told reporters after the hearing.
Romualdez is facing a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan along with former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two other accused.
The court has issued arrest warrants in connection with allegations involving P7.44 billion in kickbacks.
The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings.
ia/xf
