In a significant legal development, the Office of the Ombudsman has requested the Sandiganbayan to permit government doctors to evaluate the health condition of Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
Prosecutors Challenge Hospital Detention
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that prosecutors are opposing Romualdez's lawyers' motion for his hospital confinement. They argue that a thorough evaluation by a team of doctors is necessary to determine whether his medical needs warrant hospital care.
The prosecutors will strongly oppose the motion. In fact, the prosecutors will ask that not just one doctor but a team of government doctors assess whether or not the illnesses declared need confinement or can be managed outside of the hospital.
Mico Clavano, Assistant Ombudsman
The request follows Romualdez's recent confinement at Cardinal Santos Medical Center due to a cardiovascular event linked to anxiety and unstable blood pressure.
Legal and Medical Context
This situation arises shortly after the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against Romualdez, claiming he was involved in a scheme to misappropriate P7.4 billion, alongside other accused parties.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla noted that Romualdez had previously suffered a minor stroke in July and stressed that once doctors deem him capable, he should be moved to a regular detention facility.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has already filed a motion for Romualdez's transfer to the Philippine National Police General Hospital while he remains under medical supervision.