Sandiganbayan orders Romualdez transferred to Quezon City jail

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 15, 2026

Photo courtesy: PEP.PH

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the transfer of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas after government doctors found him clinically stable.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division issued the order after Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi testified on Romualdez’s medical condition following an independent assessment by a team of specialists.

According to the PGH findings, Romualdez continues to have medical conditions that require monitoring but these do not require continued confinement in a hospital. The court subsequently ordered that he be held at the Quezon City jail as a detention prisoner.

Romualdez had been transferred to PGH from Cardinal Santos Medical Center for an independent medical examination after seeking continued hospital confinement.

He was arrested on September 7 after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant in connection with a P7.44-billion plunder case linked to alleged irregularities involving flood control projects. He has maintained his innocence and said he would face the charges before the proper court.

Romualdez said he respects the Sandiganbayan’s decision and will continue to defend himself in the legal proceedings.