Cardinal Santos cardiologist Dr. Rody Sy testified before the Sandiganbayan that transferring Martin Romualdez out of hospital detention could pose risks because of his coronary condition—a claim many doctors nationwide have already cast doubt on.
Sy said Romualdez would need angiographic facilities within one hour if he suffers an acute episode:
“He has a coronary condition. If he develops an acute episode or attack, he will need angiographic facilities within one hour,” Sy testified.
Yet Romualdez’s lead physician, Dr. Rosalio Torres, admitted no emergency surgery or invasive procedure is immediately scheduled for him.
The debate over Romualdez’s health has drawn skepticism from medical professionals nationwide. Dr. Melissa Camille Mangulabnan Capinpin, an adult disease specialist, warned:
“Respect our profession. Let’s not allow the medical profession to be used as a shield by plunderers, criminals, or anyone trying to evade justice. Our duty is to care for patients not to help anyone escape accountability.”
Romualdez is already under BJMP custody, but his transfer to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas remains stalled. For now, jail custody exists only on paper while he lounges in a hospital bed.
Prosecutors oppose his continued stay and demand independent government doctors examine him. They also asked the court to place him in a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility, where ordinary detainees with medical complaints rarely enjoy private‑hospital confinement.
The hearing exposed unusual details about his admission. Cardinal Santos admitting physician Dr. Kurt Allen Sibayan testified Romualdez bypassed the emergency room despite chest pain and went straight to a private room. Sibayan said he was barred from entering to examine Romualdez, calling it an “unusual” hospital practice.
Romualdez has been under arrest since September 7 after the Ombudsman filed the ₱7.4‑billion plunder case over his amassing of ill‑gotten wealth. His booking was conducted inside the hospital, and he skipped appearing before the Sandiganbayan after his camp claimed he was “medically unfit to travel.”
The Sandiganbayan later ordered his transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas following hospital confinement, with arraignment and pre‑trial set for September 14 at 8:30 a.m.
The court must now decide whether Romualdez’s condition truly requires private hospital confinement. If independent doctors confirm no emergency procedure is needed at Cardinal Santos, the answer is simple: send the master plunderer to jail.
