Philippines – Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is now behind bars at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, and officials have shared details about where he is staying. The Leyte 1st District Representative is being held in an infirmary ward — one without air conditioning — alongside three other detainees.
According to a report, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirmed these details during a Tuesday press conference. Here’s a breakdown of what we know so far.
Inside the Detention Ward
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla described the space based on his own visit. The ward measures roughly 50 square meters and has no frills.
Here’s what he said the ward includes:
- Hospital beds instead of regular ones
- A common bathroom shared by the detainees
- Larger-than-usual exhaust fans
- No air conditioning
Romualdez shares the ward with three others, making them four detainees in total.
How the Transfer Happened
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera walked reporters through the process. The former speaker was moved to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on Monday night.
After booking procedures were completed, Romualdez was brought straight to his assigned cell — the infirmary ward. Bustinera noted that his placement there was based on the evaluation of his doctors, not on special requests.
Medical Clearance and Court Orders
The road to detention followed a court process. Last Friday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered doctors from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to independently check whether Romualdez really needed hospital confinement.
The PGH team assessed that he was fit enough to be held in jail. After that finding, he was taken to the Quezon City facility.
Remulla pushed back on the idea that Romualdez was exaggerating his health issues. He said PGH doctors did identify certain illnesses that require medical supervision, which is why he was placed in the infirmary ward.
“We are following the recommendations of the Sandiganbayan and the PGH… Nothing more and nothing less,” Remulla said.
The Political Backdrop
The detention comes amid tension between top officials. Last Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte slammed Romualdez’s arrest as “DRAMA.”
Romualdez has since answered back, saying he was simply doing his job. He also suggested the vice president focus her energy on “real world problems” instead.
For Filipinos following the news from abroad, this case remains one to watch as it unfolds.