Sandiganbayan orders BJMP to take custody of Romualdez

Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Hospital. INQUIRER.net / JASON SIGALES MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday issued a commitment order directing the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to take custody of former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who remains confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chairperson of the Third Division, issued the order during the hearing on Romualdez’s motions seeking continued hospital confinement. READ: Romualdez in hospital as police issue arrest warrant Article continues after this advertisement The order effectively places Romualdez under BJMP instead of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which had been guarding him since his arrest on Sept. 7. READ: PNP returns Romualdez arrest warrant to Sandiganbayan “Pursuant to the court’s Resolution and Warrant of Arrest both dated September 7, 2026 and issued on even date, we hereby COMMIT to you the living person of FERDINAND MARTIN GOMEZ ROMUALDEZ who is charged in the aforesaid case for the crime of PLUNDER, to be HELD therein as a detention prisoner and as such, the accused shall not be moved, removed, transferred, and/or otherwise be released therefrom unless ordered by the court,” Miranda read in open court. The Philippine National Police, citing the latest medical certification of Cardinal Santos Medical Center said Romualdez is still not yet medically fit to travel. The copy of the commitment order dated Sept. 10 was later shared to reporters. Article continues after this advertisement Romualdez’s arraignment is set on Sept. 14. The Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants for Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two others after the Office of the Ombudsman filed plunder charges before the anti-graft court. Article continues after this advertisement Romualdez, Co and two others were accused of “repeatedly receiving, directly or indirectly, on at least fifteen (15) occasions, commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, ‘commitments’ and/or other pecuniary benefits” worth at least P7.44 billion. The amount allegedly came from contractors, persons and entities with interests in flood control, infrastructure and/or other government projects funded under the General Appropriations Acts for fiscal years 2022 to 2025. /dp Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.