The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) formally assumed custody of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Thursday afternoon following his arrest earlier this week.
BJMP spokesman Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera confirmed that officers from the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) officially turned over Romualdez’s custody to the jail bureau at 4:15 p.m. at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
Romualdez was arrested by police officers on Monday afternoon, approximately an hour after checking into the hospital citing unstable blood pressure and other medical conditions.
Bustinera stated that the transfer of custody was executed “pursuant to the Commitment Order issued by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division.”
Addressing potential public concerns regarding detention conditions, Bustinera emphasized that the former lawmaker will not receive any preferential accommodations while under government custody.
“Representative Romualdez will be accorded the same treatment and privileges as other persons deprived of liberty, with no VIP or special treatment,” Bustinera said.
According to the jail bureau, court directives specify that Romualdez will eventually be moved from the medical facility to a standard detention unit.
“Upon order of the court, he will be transferred to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City,” Bustinera added.
When asked regarding the exact timeline for moving Romualdez to the Payatas facility, Bustinera noted that the bureau is awaiting formal documentation.
“We’re not sure. We’re going to implement the order once it reaches us,” he explained.
On whether a medical clearance from Cardinal Santos Medical Center will be required prior to physical transport, Bustinera clarified that medical evaluations remain part of routine protocol.
“That’s a standard hospital procedure. Once there is an order from the court to transfer we will implement,” Bustinera said.