MANILA: Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was assigned to the infirmary of the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas alongside three fellow persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), according to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
“Our basis is what the PGH (Philippine General Hospital) gave us, that he is fit to be confined… in Payatas under medical supervision,” Remulla explained in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Tuesday (Sept 15).
He described the room as being roughly 50sq m with hospital beds, a common bathroom and a large exhaust fan.
The room has no air conditioning, Remulla stressed.
He declined to name the other PDLs in Romualdez’ room, citing protocol.
Romualdez’ PGH doctors had recommended that he get 30 minutes of exercise a day, which he may do within the New Quezon City Jail premises, according to Remulla.
He added that the former House speaker may even see other high-profile PDLs committed to the jail facility.
“It’s his prerogative if he wants to go to others’ mess hall,” he explained.
Sen Rodante Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan party-list Rep Mike Defensor and former Public Works and Highways officials Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza are all committed to the Payatas jail.
Remulla also said Romualdez was prescribed to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) once a week and to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but he has supposedly declined to do the latter.
Remulla also said Romualdez allows visitors from 1pm to 5pm on weekdays except Mondays.
The secretary also said only Romualdez’ doctors visited him so far.
He further noted that he had not spoken with Romualdez during the transfer.
Romualdez was transferred to the jail facility on Monday night following a Sandiganbayan Third Division order.
At the briefing, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera explained that Romualdez underwent booking procedures, including fingerprinting and mugshots, upon his transfer.
“For now, the BJMP has not received any incident or negative report since the detention of former House Speaker Romualdez, and we presume a normal situation as of today,” Bustinera detailed.
Remulla noted that it was up to Romualdez’ doctors until when he would be kept at the Payatas jail’s infirmary. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
