The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday firmly denied allegations of preferential treatment toward former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who remains under police custody at a private hospital in San Juan City following his arrest on plunder charges.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public that standard legal protocols are being strictly enforced, regardless of the accused’s political stature.
“The PNP assures the public that there will be no special treatment regardless of an individual’s position or status,” Nartatez said in an official statement. “Our duty is to uphold the rule of law and strictly observe the legal processes.”
Police operatives served the arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan last Monday afternoon at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., had admitted himself to the facility due to elevated blood pressure and other medical ailments approximately an hour before the anti-graft court issued the warrant.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously said that the PNP intends to file a motion with the Sandiganbayan requesting Romualdez’s immediate transfer to the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame. Remulla noted that Romualdez is considered a flight risk, necessitating tight security by armed police personnel at his current hospital room.
Nartatez confirmed that the medical infrastructure at headquarters is equipped to handle the case.
“Our facilities and personnel are ready to provide medical care while ensuring proper custody under the law,” Nartatez said, noting that the PNP General Hospital is fully prepared to accommodate the former speaker should the court grant the transfer request.
The Sandiganbayan has ordered Romualdez to appear before the tribunal on Thursday for a hearing on his motion for continued hospital confinement.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co stated that medical professionals from both the private hospital and the PNP are actively assessing whether Romualdez is physically fit to attend the court hearing. To maintain transparency, Co emphasized that the PNP welcomes independent medical evaluations to address public skepticism.
“The more the merrier. We very much welcome additional doctors to assess the health status of our former Speaker,” Co said, dismissing speculations of favorism. “We are there to provide security, ensure the safety of all concerned since he is already under our custody and to ensure that he stays there. His free movement is just within the hospital grounds. He is not allowed to go out.”
Regarding the motion for transfer, Co indicated that the formal manifestation will be filed shortly following ongoing technical coordination with Romualdez’s attending physicians.
The plunder charges against Romualdez stem from an indictment that also named three co-accused: former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co, Romualdez’s aide Joselyn Sereño and Samchan Foreign Exchange president Felicito Guevarra.
Zaldy Co, who faces separate standing arrest warrants for graft and malversation of public funds, is currently in France seeking political asylum. The PNP spokesperson added that law enforcement tracking operations are underway for Sereño and Guevarra, noting that no surrender feelers have been received from either party to date.