The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said former House Speaker Martin Romualdez will not receive any special treatment once he is transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, stressing that the master plunderer will join the general inmate population.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera explained that Romualdez will follow the same jail procedures applied to all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), though authorities may implement added security measures because of his high‑profile status.
“Hindi naman po puwede rin magkaroon ng special treatment o mag-isa sa selda. Kung ano pong bakante doon, doon naman siya ilalagay,” Bustinera said.
The statement came as Romualdez’s continued hospital confinement at Cardinal Santos Medical Center faces scrutiny following his arrest on September 7 over the ₱7.44-billion plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Instead of being transferred to a detention facility after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant, Romualdez remained under hospital arrest after his camp cited medical concerns. The anti-graft court is reviewing whether his condition justifies continued confinement at the hospital, but his custody has been transferred to BJMP.
The court’s review followed questions surrounding the circumstances of his hospital admission and the medical basis cited by his camp. Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered the submission of medical records and required doctors to testify as it determines whether Romualdez should remain confined or be transferred to a regular detention facility.
Public scrutiny also grew after hospital photos showed vital sign readings that appeared stable, with heart rates ranging from 81 to 98 beats per minute, oxygen saturation at 99%, and blood pressure readings between 118/76 and 148/90. The figures prompted questions over whether the visible condition matched the severity of the medical concerns being cited to justify his continued hospital stay.
Romualdez’s lawyers earlier said he was medically unfit to travel and appear before the court. However, the Sandiganbayan ordered that he be placed under BJMP custody, with his arraignment and pre-trial scheduled on September 14 at 8:30 a.m.
BJMP said that once Romualdez is transferred to its custody, he will be subject to standard detention rules and will not receive special privileges because of his former position.
