Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito said former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez should be treated like any other detainee, emphasizing that the law should apply equally regardless of a person’s political position.
Ejercito said Romualdez’s health condition should undergo an independent assessment at a government hospital to address questions about his continued confinement at a private medical facility.
“Siguro, ano lang dito: the law has to look at everybody equally. Hindi dapat may special treatment,” Ejercito said in a television interview when asked about Romualdez’s situation.
Romualdez remains confined at a private hospital after voluntarily admitting himself there.
Ejercito said transferring Romualdez to a government-run medical facility, such as the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) or the Philippine National Police General Hospital, could provide a more impartial setting for his medical evaluation.
“Siguro kailangan—kung ano man—sa government hospital. Tama siguro. I agree na dalhin sa PGH for further tests. Meron silang PNP Hospital, di ba?” he said.
He also raised concerns about the optics of keeping Romualdez in a private hospital following his self-admission.
“Kasi hindi lang magandang tingnan ’yung thought na nandoon siya sa private hospital na alam naman natin na nag-self-admission siya,” Ejercito added.