Martin Romualdez Declared Unfit to Travel Ahead of Sandiganbayan Hearing
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – Questions are mounting over Martin Romualdez’s upcoming court appearance after doctors reportedly certified that he is not yet fit to travel.
Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez has been declared medically unfit to travel, raising uncertainty over his scheduled appearance before the Sandiganbayan, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co confirmed that Romualdez’s latest medical assessment showed that he could not safely travel. The certification was issued by doctors from Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where the former lawmaker remains confined.
“[The] latest medical certification of Cardinal Santos [last night] is he is not medically fit [to travel],” Co told the Inquirer in a text message on Thursday morning.
Romualdez had been directed to attend a Sandiganbayan hearing concerning his request to remain under hospital confinement. He was arrested on Monday in connection with a plunder case, which is considered a non-bailable offense.
Co explained that the hospital’s medical team would need to coordinate with the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which had been expected to escort Romualdez to court should his medical condition allow him to attend the proceedings.
“Syempre, they (Cardinal Santos doctors) also have to coordinate with the CIDG [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group], who will be bringing him supposedly to the Sandiganbayan if he will appear,” Co said during an interview with GMA’s “Unang Balita” on Thursday.
The police official also emphasized that details concerning Romualdez’s health should come directly from his attending physicians, while the PNP could only confirm the medical certification regarding his ability to travel.
“All others sa health status niya, sila lang ang may karapatan magsalita. Ang only confirmation sa amin, cine-certify nila that he is medically unfit to travel,” he added.
Romualdez was taken into police custody while confined in a hospital bed following what was described as a “cardiovascular event,” along with unstable blood pressure and an anxiety attack.
Authorities accuse the former House leader of allegedly obtaining around P7.44 billion in commissions, shares, percentages, kickbacks, commitments and other financial benefits linked to various government projects between 2022 and 2025.
The allegations remain disputed, as Romualdez has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the accusations against him.
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