MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla warned that jail personnel at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas, including its superintendent, face dismissal if investigations confirm that a personal aide was allowed to stay with detained former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez.
Speaking during a media briefing on Friday, November 6, Remulla stressed that such an arrangement constitutes prohibited favoritism and a breach of official duty.
“We will find out. I have to validate it. We will have to validate it. Bawal ‘yan. That is not allowed,” Remulla said.
“That’s a violation of the oath they took,” he added.
Clarifying that his warning covers the facility’s superintendent and other responsible staff, the Ombudsman emphasized that his office will take strict disciplinary action if the allegations are proven true.
“We can dismiss them from the service. I will not hesitate. If we find something, we will dismiss them from the service,” Remulla stated.
The issue regarding Romualdez’s custody surfaced during a November 5 hearing before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which addressed separate claims that the detained lawmaker was permitted to leave the facility.
The anti-graft court subsequently ordered Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion and Medical Officer Henry Fabro to personally appear and testify regarding Romualdez’s detention status.
The court order followed allegations raised on November 3 by columnist Ramon Tulfo, who cited an unnamed source claiming that Pacion temporarily cut power to the facility to prevent CCTV cameras from recording Romualdez’s movements.
Romualdez is currently detained at the Payatas facility in connection with a ₱7.44-billion plunder case filed against him by the Office of the Ombudsman.