Malacañang on Tuesday, September 15, said the transfer of former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas was conducted in line with existing laws and court procedures.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration’s position remains that authorities must observe the requirements prescribed by law and follow the proper legal process in handling Romualdez’s case.
“In general, nadinig naman po natin kung ano naman po talaga ang nararapat, kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas, anong sinasabi ng proseso, iyon lang naman din po ang masasabi ng pamahalaang ito, ng administrasyon na ito,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Castro stressed that authorities must ensure that individuals facing criminal allegations are not subjected to abuse or unequal treatment, emphasizing the need to uphold due process.
“Hindi kailangang umabuso, hindi naman kailangang kulang ang pagtrato sa maaaring nasasangkot. So, dapat lang po ay kung ano iyong naaayon sa batas at proseso,” Castro said.
She also reminded the public that Romualdez continues to enjoy the presumption of innocence because no final judgment has been issued by a court in his case.
“Kahit po nasa kulungan sinuman, in general po, ito ating isasagot: Hangga’t wala pa po kasing naibibigay na paghuhusga with finality ang isang korte, ang presumption pa rin po niyan ay inosente sila. Nagkataon lang po na ang mga kasong kinakaharap nila ay no bail, no bail recommended ang ibinibigay at sinasabi at pinag-uutos ng korte,” she said.
Asked about how Romualdez’s arrest and detention could be perceived by the public, Castro said the case should demonstrate that accountability applies equally to people regardless of their wealth, status or position.
“Kung ano po ang sinasapit ngayon ng mga diumanong sangkot, iyan naman po ay walang dapat sinisino – mayaman, mahirap, ordinaryong tao, may kapangyarihan,” Castro said.
“Kung nakagawa man ng mali sa taumbayan, kailangan lang din pong pantay-pantay kung ano po ang naranasan ng mga akusado. So wala pong dapat na special treatment. Hindi po kinakailangang mag-rally kung saan-saan para hindi mapanagot ang sinuman, dapat po pantay-pantay,” she added.
Romualdez was transferred to the New Quezon City Jail on Monday night after being discharged from the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in Manila.
The hospital previously determined that Romualdez was “clinically stable” before his transfer to the city jail.