The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered four physicians from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to testify regarding the health status of former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez.
The move comes as the anti-graft court determines whether the lawmaker should remain under hospital arrest or be transferred to a standard detention facility.
In an order issued Tuesday, September 8, the court instructed its Clerk of Court to issue subpoenas ad testificandum to Dr. Rody Sy, Dr. Rogelio Libarres, Dr. Kurt Allen Sibayan, and Dr. Rosalio Torres. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at 8:30 a.m.
“The Clerk of Court is DIRECTED to issue subpoena ad testificandum to Dr. Rody Sy, Dr. Rogelio Libarres, Dr. Kurt Allen V. Sibayan, and Dr. Rosalio P. Torres of Cardinal for the hearing on September 10, 2026,” the court stated.
Alongside the testimony, the court directed Romualdez or his attending medical team to submit all comprehensive examination results. Additionally, the court ordered the lawmaker himself to attend the session physically if his medical condition permits.
“Accused Romualdez is directed to appear before the court should his condition permit,” the directive read.
Reiterating its authority over the matter, the Sandiganbayan emphasized that custody over the accused rests strictly with the tribunal, making it the sole authority to decide whether his medical state warrants continued hospital stay or commitment to jail.
“At the outset, it must be emphasized that the custody of accused Romualdez belongs to the court,” the anti-graft tribunal asserted.
“If there are concerns regarding the accused’s medical condition, it is only this court that can determine whether such condition affects the implementation of the warrant, the confinement of the accused at a hospital, or his commitment to a jail facility,” it added.
The court noted that concerns raised in Romualdez’s filings prompted the urgent call for a formal hearing.
The legal developments follow the serving of an arrest warrant by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (PNP CIDG-NCR) on September 7 while Romualdez was at Cardinal Santos Medical Center.
The CIDG-NCR formally returned the warrant to the tribunal the following day.
In response to his arrest, Romualdez filed a Manifestation of Hospital Confinement and Urgent Motion Ad Cautelam for Continued Hospital Confinement Under Custody, requesting permission to remain hospitalized while under legal custody.
The arrest warrant was initially issued on September 7 after the court found probable cause in a plunder case brought by the Office of the Ombudsman involving alleged national budget irregularities.