Jail is near for master plunderer Martin Romualdez, as PGH medical director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi testified that his condition does not require hospital confinement and he can be discharged at any time.
PGH officials were tasked by the Sandiganbayan Third Division to assess whether Romualdez truly needed medical confinement after his arrest warrant was issued. Otherwise, he belongs in Quezon City Jail.
Legaspi told the court the risk of an impending heart attack was low based on their independent evaluation, and confinement for Romualdez’s cardiac problem is not medically required. Asked by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno if Romualdez could be discharged at any time, Legaspi answered yes, stressing his condition can be managed outside the hospital.
This means Romualdez could soon be ordered transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, where the Sandiganbayan had already directed his detention.
Romualdez was arrested on Sept. 7 after the Ombudsman filed the ₱7.4‑billion plunder case. Instead of being taken to jail, the disgraced former Speaker was pampered under hospital arrest at Cardinal Santos Medical Center. His doctors even asked for four to six more weeks of confinement, citing supposed heart risks.
But PGH’s independent exam ruled out unstable angina, found only chronic coronary syndrome, and confirmed his depressive disorder and anxiety can be managed with continued psychiatric treatment. With PGH finding him stable, the medical excuse has collapsed.
The court now has independent findings showing Romualdez does not need hospital confinement. For Filipinos who suffered ghost projects, substandard flood‑control works, and floods that devastated millions, the path is clear: no more private‑hospital shield, no more delay, no more excuses. All eyes are now on Sandiganbayan, as Romualdez could finally be ordered to jail.
It marks yet another triumph for Peanut Gallery Media Network’s relentless exposés, now in their 12th straight week, racking up over 250 million views across more than 2,042 posts—cementing the most viral anti‑corruption campaign ever waged against a single figure in Philippine social media history. Even as Romualdez scrambled to fight back with more than 80 lawsuits, the barrage only grew louder. And now, the master plunderer could finally headed to jail.
