Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) will ask the court to transfer former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez from Cardinal Santos Medical Center to the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Remulla said the PNP General Hospital is capable of attending to Romualdez’s medical condition, while arrangements may be made for his attending physicians to continue providing necessary care, subject to the approval of the court.

“Kami po ay magmo-motion for custody ni Martin Romualdez para dalhin sa Camp Crame Hospital. That motion will be filed later or tomorrow para maklaro na hindi kami pumapayag na sa Cardinal Santos. Kaya naman namin sa Crame ‘yan,” Remulla said.

“It’s up to the discretion of the courts kung papayagan siyang mailipat,” he added.

The planned motion follows the service of an arrest warrant against Romualdez on Monday afternoon while he was confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in connection with a plunder case.

His legal counsel has asked the Sandiganbayan to allow him to remain confined at the private hospital until he is medically cleared for transfer.

Remulla stressed that the government must enforce the law while respecting Romualdez’s rights as a person deprived of liberty (PDL) and ensuring that his medical condition is properly addressed.

“The law is the law. Ayon sa batas, you must be fit to face trial. As soon as he is fit and able to appear in court, dadalhin na namin siya,” he said.

According to the DILG chief, PNP medical personnel have coordinated with Romualdez’s attending physicians and were informed that his current cardiovascular condition makes him medically unstable to appear before the court or be transferred to a regular detention facility.

Pending further medical assessment and court action, Remulla assured that Romualdez remains under government custody and is being guarded around the clock.

“Meron kaming 24/7 2 armed guards sa labas ng kwarto niya. Meron pa kaming armed guards sa lobby, at meron din kaming mobile patrol na naghihintay sa labas ng hospital,” he said.

Remulla emphasized that the government will continue to follow the appropriate legal and medical processes while ensuring that the arrest warrant is fully enforced.

Arrest warrants were likewise issued against former representative Zaldy Co and two other accused in connection with the ₱7.44-billion plunder case.