The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) has formed a team of medical specialists to conduct an independent and comprehensive assessment of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, following an order from the Sandiganbayan.
In a statement issued Saturday, September 12, UP-PGH said the team will perform the necessary medical examinations and diagnostic tests on Romualdez, with its complete medical report expected to be submitted to the Sandiganbayan on Sunday afternoon, September 13.
“Bumuo ang PGH ng pangkat ng mga espesyalista na magsasagawa ng mga kinakailangang medical examinations at diagnostic tests,” the hospital said.
UP-PGH said the results of the evaluation will serve as the basis for determining whether Romualdez should continue to be confined in a hospital.
Romualdez was transferred from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to UP-PGH at around 8:45 a.m. Saturday for the court-ordered medical evaluation. The transfer was completed without incident under the supervision and escort of medical personnel from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
The state-run hospital said the assessment will be conducted independently, objectively and in accordance with established medical standards.
“Mananatiling obhetibo at propesyonal ang PGH sa pagsasagawa ng pagsusuri, alinsunod sa pinakamataas na pamantayan sa larangan ng medisina,” it said.
UP-PGH also assured that information concerning Romualdez’s medical condition will be kept confidential and disclosed only to the Sandiganbayan or other authorized judicial authorities.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered the independent medical examination amid reports concerning Romualdez’s health, including hypertension and diabetes.
Romualdez is currently under hospital arrest and faces a plunder case over an alleged kickback scheme involving government infrastructure projects.