Philippine President Marcos’ cousin to be moved from hospital to Quezon City jail

Martin Romualdez has denied wrongdoing in a plunder case connected to a multi-billion peso corruption scandal involving flood infrastructure projects. - Photo: HOUSEOFREPSPH/Facebook

MANILA: The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Monday (Sept 14) ordered the transfer of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.

Associate Justice Karl Miranda announced the court order after the testimony of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Gerardo Legaspi.

Legaspi told the court that Romualdez can be discharged at any time since he was medically stable, based on the examination done by a dozen specialists of the premier state-run hospital.

“In view of the findings of the PGH … the court hereby orders the transfer of custody of accused Romualdez in the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory,” Miranda stated.

An ambulance carrying former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez arrives at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila from Cardinal Santos Medical Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, Sept 12, 2026. The Sandiganbayan Third Division tasked PGH doctors with conducting a comprehensive medical assessment to determine whether Romualdez requires hospital confinement following the issuance of his arrest warrant. - Photo: INQUIRER

Ade Fajardo, legal counsel of Romualdez, said the lawmaker will follow the court process.

“He respects this [court] and he will follow the law,” Fajardo said in an ambush interview after the court hearing.

Romualdez has been confined in the PGH since Saturday after being discharged from the Cardinal Santos Medical Centre.

Last Friday, the anti-graft court ordered PGH to conduct an independent assessment of Romualdez.

An arrest warrant was issued by this court against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two others for plunder involving alleged kickbacks worth P7.44 billion. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN