Operatives of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) served a warrant of arrest against former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez on Monday night, September 7, inside a private hospital in San Juan City.
The CIDG confirmed that officers served the judicial order at approximately 7:45 PM while the lawmaker was confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in Barangay Greenhills.
The arrest stems from a non-bailable criminal charge for Plunder (Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7080, as amended), docketed under Criminal Case No. E-SB-CRM-0074.
The warrant was issued by Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda, Chairperson of the Sandiganbayan’s 3rd Division in Quezon City, with no bail recommended.
Authorities say the formal service of the warrant was conducted in his hospital room due to his current medical admission. The CIDG said that it will immediately file a return of the warrant to the Sandiganbayan and submit an official report detailing the former Speaker’s medical condition and present state.
“The CIDG will await the order of the Sandiganbayan on the proper disposition of the accused,” the group said in an official statement.
Addressing the high-profile nature of the arrest, the police investigative arm emphasized its neutrality and adherence to constitutional guidelines throughout the operation.
“The CIDG stands firm in its mandate to enforce the law without fear or favor. The Group maintains an unwavering commitment to execute all judicial orders with utmost professionalism, and absolute adherence to human rights and constitutional due process,” the CIDG added.
Further directives regarding Romualdez’s official custody, potential transfer or detention location now rest with the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division.