Romualdez arrested in hospital for plunder
Former Philippine House Speaker Martin Romualdez was arrested at a hospital on plunder charges involving alleged kickbacks from government projects. His legal team is requesting continued hospital confinement, citing his unstable cardiac health and other medical conditions.
Why it matters
This represents a significant high-profile corruption case involving a senior political figure in the Philippines.
Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is served a warrant for his arrest by the CIDG at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City on Monday night, Sept. 7, 2026. - INQUIRER.net photo by Jason Sigales MANILA, Philippines - Former Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was arrested on Monday for plunder, hours after he and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co were charged before the Sandiganbayan over allegations that they received more than P7 billion in kickbacks from government projects between 2022 and 2025.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla told reporters that Romualdez was arrested at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he is currently confined.
"According to the doctors, he suffered from a cardiovascular event. His blood pressure was unstable, and he was having an anxiety attack," Remulla said.
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