QUEZON CITY — The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division has recommended that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) national leadership investigate why a personal aide of former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez was allowed extended access to him at the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory in Payatas beyond regular visiting hours.
During a court hearing on Thursday, November 12, Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chairperson of the 3rd Division, questioned new Quezon City Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion regarding the clearance given to Arvin de Guzman, Romualdez’s aide and an authorized visitor.
Pacion defended the arrangement by citing a Philippine General Hospital (PGH) report which stated that Romualdez required continued medical care, including blood pressure monitoring, access to medication, and the nightly use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. She also pointed to Romualdez’s diagnosis of a major depressive disorder, single episode.
When asked why jail nurses could not handle these tasks, Pacion explained that assigning a permanent nurse would strain their limited medical staff of 24 nurses operating across four shifts.
However, Justice Miranda rejected the justification, pointing out that jail personnel should handle medical assistance rather than bending visiting rules.
“Hindi pwedeng nagva-violate ng rules and regulations,” Miranda said, reminding Pacion that she was under oath and that her testimony as a government official had to be believable.
Miranda also questioned conflicting explanations regarding de Guzman’s hours, CCTV blind spots, and why the aide was allowed inside the facility on Mondays when visitors are normally barred. Pacion maintained that the measures were implemented out of humanitarian consideration.
Confronted about whether she could guarantee Romualdez never left the facility, Pacion pointed to standard custodial protocols, including headcounts conducted at 7 a.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m., alongside routine blood pressure checks.
In closing, Justice Miranda directed Pacion to submit a list of other persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) requiring similar assistance and an explanation of how the facility addresses their needs.
“We have recommended that the BJMP national look into what is happening there and investigate, and if warranted hold those responsible made accountable, including the possible referral of this, kung sino man yung dapat magtingin at pwedeng mag-file ng kaso, kung meron man, sa Ombudsman,” Miranda stated.