FORMER House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is now behind bars after the Sandigabayan ordered his transfier from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas.
Romualdez was brought to the Payatas jail in Quezon City on Monday night.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the order after the PGH doctors said Romualdez is in stable condition and needs no special medical monitoring.
According to PGH Medical Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, they forwarded the result of their examination to the court on Sunday after Romualdez was transferred from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to PGH on Saturday to undergo an independent medical examination.
A transport convoy by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) departed from the Pedro Gil exit of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila shortly after 10 p.m..
Romualdez was committed to the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory at approximately 10:49 p.m..
“Considering his medical needs and the medical recommendations presented before the Court, Rep. Romualdez has been placed in the jail infirmary together with other PDL requiring medical monitoring,” the BJMP said in a statement.
The former House speaker was arrested on September 7 after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for the P7.4-billion plunder case filed by the Ombudsman. He was initially confined at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center before being transferred to UP-PGH on Saturday.
Romualdez is suffering from chronic coronary syndrome, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, anxiety, and major depressive disorder.
The former speaker of the House maintained his innoncence on the charges hurled against him.
“I have always said that I will face the charges against me and answer them before the proper court,” he said.
“I maintain my innocence. Haharapin ko ang kaso. Sasagutin ko ang mga paratang,” Romualdez said.
“This is a difficult moment for me and my family. But I will face the days ahead with dignity, with faith in God, and with confidence in the truth,” he added.
CONSTITUION BARS PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT FROM BUSINESS PARTICIPATION — EX-SANDIGAN CHIEF 
VAT REMOVAL ON SYSTEM LOSS TO EASE POWER COSTS FOR FILIPINO CONSUMERS – SPEAKER DY 
SENATE OKAYS BILL SETTING 5-YEAR TERM FOR BARANGAY, SK OFFICIALS 
CHIZ PUSHES FOR DIGITIZED SEA TRAVEL RECORDS 
PRESIDENT MARCOS MEETS WITH INDIAN AGENCIES ON RAILWAY PROJECTS, SPACE TECHNOLOGY 
PBBM IN INDIA TO JOIN WORLD LEADERS AT BRICS SUMMIT 
P199.7-M SHABU, KUSH DECLARED AS PERSONAL EFFECTS FROM CANADA INTERCEPTED AT NAIA