Dr. Ernesto “Bunny” Mendoza said Martin Romualdez’s vital signs when served his ₱7.4‑billion plunder warrant were “stable” and “normal”—as the Filipino people demand to see the master plunderer finally jailed.
Romualdez begged for medical detention instead of jail, but the bedside monitor when he was served his arrest warrant told another story: heart rate between 81 and 98 bpm, oxygen saturation at 99%, and blood pressure ranging from a normal 118/76 to a slightly elevated 148/90.
“As a doctor, I find this deeply troubling. The monitor shows stable, normal vital signs,” Mendoza said. “No one should use illness or the medical profession as a shield from justice. Let the truth and independent medical evidence speak.”
On Thursday, the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered the master plunderer detained at the Quezon City Jail – Male Dormitory in Payatas, placing him under Bureau of Jail Management and Penology custody.
He was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan when served his warrant. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he had suffered a “cardiovascular event,” unstable blood pressure, and an anxiety attack.
Romualdez reportedly has cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism. He previously underwent angioplasty for coronary artery disease.
The ₱7.44‑billion plunder case is only the first. More plunder and money‑laundering charges are expected from the Ombudsman.
The Sandiganbayan’s decision is a victory for the Filipino people, long left to endure flooding while supposed flood‑control projects were ghost works—failures that affected 9.4 million and claimed 39 lives.
Ombudsman Boying Remulla has fought hard to block hospital arrest for Romualdez, vowing to oppose any attempt to shield him from jail. The Sandiganbayan’s order came despite his camp pushing for prolonged hospital detention, citing claims of being medically unfit. His arraignment and pretrial are set for September 14 in the plunder case.
It also marks a triumph for Peanut Gallery Media Network’s relentless exposés, now in their 11th straight week—230 million views across 2,042 posts—cementing the most viral anti‑corruption campaign ever mounted against a single figure in Philippine social media history. Even as Romualdez fought back with over 80 lawsuits, the barrage only grew louder. And now, he’s going to jail.
