The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will file a motion for custody before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for the transfer of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH), Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday.

Romualdez remains confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City after suffering a cardiovascular event, unstable blood pressure and anxiety attack. The anti-graft court on Monday ordered his arrest on plunder charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged involvement in flood control anomalies.

“Kami po ay mag-momotion ng custody ni ex-speaker Martin Romualdez para dalin sa Camp Crame Hospital. Yun po ang gagawin naming initial step namin para under the formal custody bibigyan na lang namin ng visitation and practicing rights ang kanyang mga doktor para pwede silang pumunta sa Camp Crame. That motion will be filed later or tomorrow (We will file a motion for the custody of ex-speaker Martin Romualdez for his transfer to Camp Crame Hospital. That is the initial step we will do and under formal custody we will just provide them with visitation and practicing rights for his doctors to check on him at Camp Crame),’’ Remulla told reporters in a press briefing held in Camp Crame.

According to Remulla, the PNP General Hospital has the means and capability to look after Romualdez.

The filing of the motion, according to him, shows that both the DILG and the PNP do not agree that the former speaker stay in a private hospital.

Tight Security

Remulla also said ample security measures are being undertaken for Romualdez at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, noting that the former leader of the House of Representatives is a “flight risk’’ for owning two private jets, three helicopters and three yachts.

He noted that there are two armed guards outside his room “24/7’’ and Romualdez’s movement restricted within the hospital. Armed guards are also stationed in the hospital’s lobby and a mobile patrol vehicle is on standby outside the hospital.

With regard to the lawmaker’s health status, Remulla explained that both the PNP and Romualdez’s doctors agreed that his condition remains “unstable’’ at this time.

He added that the PNP doctors will visit Romualdez daily in his room to determine his condition and will be brought to appear in court once he is deemed fit to travel.

Romualdez arrived at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center at around 4 p.m. on Monday, or moments before the arrest warrant was issued by the Sandiganbayan.

It was in his hospital room where the warrant was served, after which Romualdez underwent booking procedures, including taking of fingerprints and mugshots. He also underwent medical check from police doctors.

Remulla said Romualdez suffered a medical condition two months ago.

“According to hospital management, speaker Martin Romualdez suffered a stroke sometime July. Transient ischemic attack,” he said.

“It wasn’t that serious, I saw that he has no deficiency but he suffered a cerebral vascular event last July,” he added.

No PBBM Intervention

Meanwhile, Remulla stressed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has “zero” intervention on matters related to Romualdez, who is his cousin.

Describing his stand of “duty over family,” Remulla acknowledged that the President and the lawmaker were like brothers but the Chief Executive has maintained over the years that “ he is not president of my family or of my friends.’’

“Make no mistake about it, it (arrest) really hurts him (Marcos). But it is his duty,” he added.

Remulla claimed having no communication at any time with the President pertaining to the case of his cousin.

“Kahit i-check niyo lahat ng phone records namin, wala kaming communications (about Romualdez’s case) talaga (Even if you check our phone records, I really had no communication with the President),’’ he insisted.

Legal Process Followed

For his part, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police personnel strictly observed established protocols when serving the warrant to Romualdez.

Nartatez and Remulla were in the hospital room when the arrest warrant was served at the hospital.

He stressed that the PNP’s implementation of court-issued warrants does not depend on the position or status of the person concerned.

“The PNP enforces court-issued warrants without fear or favor, regardless of the position or status of the person concerned. We will continue to observe due process and established police protocols as we perform our duty to uphold the rule of law and help ensure that legal processes are followed,” he said.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the arrest warrant following the filing of a PHP7.4-billion plunder case by the Office of the Ombudsman against Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and two others over the flood control controversy. (PNA)