MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan‘s 3rd Division ordered the transfer of Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for an independent medical examination on Saturday, September 12.  

This means Romualdez would be discharged from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Saturday and then stay at UP-PGH in Manila until further orders from the anti-graft court.

Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Karl Miranda, the court division chairman, issued the order on Friday, September 11, during the second day of the court’s hearing for the lawmaker’s motion on Romualdez’s continued hospital confinement.

The former House speaker remained in hospital confinement at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center following his arrest on Monday, September 7, over his P7.44-billion plunder case in relation to the flood control mess.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Philippine National Police, and the Office of the Judiciary Marshals would coordinate with the UP-PGH in bringing Romualdez to the hospital via an ambulance with the required medical equipment, according to the court order.

The Sandiganbayan ordered UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi and/or any of his duly authorized representatives to conduct the medical examination “without the direct or indirect participation or influence of accused Romualdez’s doctors at Cardinal who may be connected to UP-PGH.”

Blood pressure spike, depression

Romualdez’s doctors testified on the witness stand on Friday to explain his cardiological, neurological, and psychiatric conditions, as well as the risks of hospital transfer. 

All of them mentioned the stress Romualdez has been experiencing and the value of continuity of care.

Dr. Rosalio Torres, the overall coordinator of Romualdez’s health team, said that the lawmaker has no scheduled surgery or invasive medical procedure.

But when asked if there was no serious threat to Romualdez’s health that needed immediate intervention, Torres disagreed, citing the evaluation and recommendation of the specialists in the team.

Cardiologist Dr. Rody Sy told the anti-graft court that Romualdez was “cardiovascularly stable” on Monday and Tuesday, but he experienced a spike in blood pressure to 170 over 100 at around 5 pm to 6 pm on Thursday. 

Romualdez was earlier ordered to appear before the court on Thursday should his condition permit.

Sy said he advanced the lawmaker’s medication to treat that episode, with the psychiatrist adjusting his sleeping pills. 

Neurologist Dr. Rogelio Libarnes said that sleep deprivation doubles the risk of stroke.

Dr. Lourdes Ignacio, the psychiatrist in the team, also told the court that she diagnosed Romualdez with depressive disorder with anxiety.

During the hearing, it was Sy who highlighted that Romualdez’s stress factors must be first controlled and recommended to the court four to six weeks before the former House speaker is transferred to any health facility.

The doctor added that Romualdez must have immediate medical attention and have access to angiographic facilities within one hour if he would have a heart attack.

“We wish walang mangyaring masama (We hope nothing will happen to him),” Ade Fajardo, one of Romualdez’s lawyers, told the media after the announcement of the court order.

What will happen next week?

UP-PGH doctors were directed to submit their report and recommendation on Sunday, September 13, and appear before the court on Monday, September 14, as to whether “there is an imperative need for the continued hospital confinement of the accused.”

Daily medical reports on Romualdez’s health will also be submitted to the court. 

Romualdez’s arraignment and pre-trial were reset to Wednesday, September 16. – Rappler.com