MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) clarified on Saturday, November 7, that the decision to allow a personal aide of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez to stay inside the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory (QJMD) was made solely by the facility’s warden.
In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera stated that agency leaders were completely unaware that Romualdez’s staff member had been residing inside the detention facility since September 14.
“Pero that was her (Pacion) judgment, not the chief BJMP or the BJMP’s position,” Bustinera said, referring to Quezon City Jail warden Supt. Maria Lourdes Pacion.
Bustinera emphasized that BJMP headquarters officials had no prior knowledge of the 24-hour stay. He noted that legislative staff are typically restricted to standard visiting hours, adding that the agency will hold personnel accountable if violations of the visitation policy are established.
“We will impose accountability if found in violation of BJMP Visitation Policy,” Bustinera assured.
Pacion disclosed the arrangement under oath before the Sandiganbayan on November 5. Defending her decision, she explained that jail personnel lacked the manpower to provide round-the-clock personal assistance to the detained lawmaker.
“Under oath kasi sya (Pacion) doon sa court nung sinabi nya kaya pwede mo naman quote yung statement nya sa (Romualdez’s) personal staff,” Bustinera noted.
Following the revelation, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordered the BJMP to submit a comprehensive report within 48 hours detailing the legal and administrative basis for the aide’s stay, the circumstances of the authorization, and the officials involved.
Remulla warned that incomplete findings or non-compliance would not be tolerated and that any policy violations would be addressed promptly.