Health Conditions Reportedly Affecting Martin Romualdez
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The former House Speaker was hospitalized on September 7, shortly after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him. His camp asked that he remain in the hospital, citing several health conditions involving his heart, blood vessels, brain, and other parts of his body.
According to a nine-page filing, Romualdez has hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition linked to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. He was also reported to have unstable angina and coronary artery disease, both of which can reduce blood flow to the heart and cause chest pain. His medical history includes a previous percutaneous coronary intervention, a procedure performed to open narrowed or blocked heart arteries.
Romualdez was also reported to have cerebrovascular ischemic disease, which affects blood flow to the brain. His other reported conditions include Type 2 diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia, or abnormal levels of fats in the blood.
He was also reported to have primary hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. It may cause tiredness, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and other symptoms.
His camp also said Romualdez experienced an anxiety attack before he was served the arrest warrant.
The reported health problems came as Romualdez faces a P7.4-billion plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman. The case involves allegations of a kickback scheme connected to flood control projects. Former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co and several others were also named in the case.
Despite his reported medical conditions and hospitalization, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has considered Romualdez a potential flight risk.
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