Authorities have served an arrest warrant against former House Speaker and current Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, who was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center on Monday evening, in connection with a graft case stemming from his tenure as Tacloban City mayor in 2002 regarding alleged anomalous land procurement.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the former House leader is now officially considered a person deprived of liberty (PDL) after accepting the warrant in his hospital room.
Romualdez immediately underwent the necessary booking procedures and was read his rights by authorities within the medical facility.
According to a DILG statement, the lawmaker was rushed to the hospital after experiencing a cardiovascular event, elevated blood pressure, and an anxiety attack upon learning of the Sandiganbayan’s order, which is the Philippines’ special court for graft and corruption cases.
National police guards are scheduled to remain outside his room and around the hospital while doctors continue to monitor his health condition.
The government reiterated its assurance that Romualdez will be immediately transferred to the correctional facility at Quezon City Jail in Payatas once medical experts provide clearance for his discharge.