Romualdez suffers cardiovascular event, anxiety attack amid arrest

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 08, 2026

Photo courtesy: The Freeman

MANILA, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was hospitalized Monday after suffering a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

Romualdez was brought to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on September 7, where authorities later served the arrest warrant issued against him in connection with a P7.4-billion plunder case.

Remulla said doctors were monitoring Romualdez’s condition, while Philippine National Police physicians were coordinating with his attending doctors to determine when he would be medically fit to appear before the Sandiganbayan.

Despite his hospitalization, police completed the booking process and read Romualdez his rights. He is now considered a person deprived of liberty and remains under police custody at the hospital. Armed officers have been deployed outside his room and around the facility.

A medical certificate submitted by Romualdez’s camp to the Sandiganbayan listed several cardiovascular and other medical conditions and sought his continued hospital confinement. The anti-graft court said it would make its own assessment on whether his medical condition warrants continued confinement outside a regular detention facility.

Remulla said authorities would continue checking Romualdez’s condition and that he would be transferred to the appropriate detention facility once doctors determine that he is fit.

Romualdez faces a plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman involving alleged P7.4 billion in commissions, kickbacks and other payments linked to government infrastructure projects from 2022 to 2025. He has maintained that the allegations should be resolved through evidence and due process in court.