Martin Romualdez’s family has yet to visit him in jail, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said after the disgraced former Speaker spent his first night at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, detained in an infirmary ward with three other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Remulla noted that as of his Tuesday briefing, only Romualdez’s personal doctor had been with him—not wife Yedda Marie Romualdez nor children Andrew Julian, Ferdinand Martin Jr., Mariabella, and Maddey.
Remulla described the infirmary as an approximately 50‑square‑meter ward with hospital beds, no air‑conditioning, and a shared bathroom.
“Meron lang, from what I saw yesterday, hospital beds, wala siyang aircon, common bathroom, tapos mas malaki lang ang exhaust fan niya,” Remulla said.
Romualdez received a hospital‑type bed because he remains under medical supervision for high blood pressure, diabetes, and evidence of previous cerebrovascular incidents. He has no private nurse permanently staying with him, while his personal doctors may visit only during designated hours.
Remulla added that Romualdez declined to use a recommended CPAP machine for sleep apnea. PGH doctors advised regular monitoring and at least 30 minutes of daily exercise through walking and sunning.
Remulla said it is Romualdez’s prerogative if he wants to join other PDLs in detention, including fellow detained politicians.
Romualdez will remain in the infirmary ward until doctors determine he can be moved to a regular cell. BJMP doctors are monitoring his condition and may consult his private physicians or PGH if medical concerns arise.
The Sandiganbayan ordered his transfer after PGH doctors found that continued hospital confinement was no longer medically necessary. Romualdez remains detained while facing a ₱7.4-billion plunder case linked to kickbacks from flood-control and other government projects. He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before the anti-graft court.
