Medical specialists attending to former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez testified before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on Friday regarding his motion for continued hospital stay.
Dr. Rody Sy, a cardiologist at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, informed the anti-graft court that Romualdez was “cardiovascularly stable” during the initial two days of his hospital confinement, citing acceptable blood pressure and normal electrocardiogram readings.
However, Sy noted that Romualdez’s blood pressure spiked to 170/110 late Thursday afternoon, prompting a adjustment in his medication schedule. He added that the lawmaker’s attending psychiatrist also increased his sleep medication that same day.
The anti-graft court had previously ordered Romualdez to appear in court on Thursday, but medical staff withheld clearance. Under cross-examination by prosecutors, Sy affirmed that Romualdez could be transported for brief court proceedings once his blood pressure stabilizes.
Additionally, Dr. Rosalio Torres, hematologist and overall medical coordinator at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, confirmed that Romualdez has no scheduled surgical or invasive medical procedures.
Romualdez, who remains under Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) custody, faces plunder charges over an alleged ₱7.4-billion kickback scheme involving irregular infrastructure projects.