PH gov't orders probe into reported special privileges for Former House Speaker Romualdez

Malacañang has called for an investigation into reports that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was granted a round-the-clock personal aide while detained at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, amid questions over whether the arrangement constituted special treatment.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said authorities should determine the basis for the reported accommodation, including whether Romualdez's health condition required continuous assistance.

The call came after Quezon City Jail Warden Supt. Maria Loures Pacion confirmed before the Sandiganbayan that she approved the presence of a personal staff member to assist Romualdez on humanitarian grounds, according to a Philippine News Agency report.

Castro said the Palace could not immediately assess the propriety of the arrangement without knowing the former lawmaker's medical condition and detention circumstances.

While detainees may receive assistance for health-related reasons, any benefit that goes beyond what is necessary should not be allowed, she said.

Castro also stressed that jail personnel remain responsible for monitoring all persons deprived of liberty and that deficiencies in security equipment should be addressed by the appropriate authorities rather than used to justify lapses in supervision.

Separately, she welcomed columnist Ramon Tulfo's admission that information he previously shared regarding an alleged power outage that supposedly disabled the facility's CCTV system was inaccurate.

The claim had fueled speculation that Romualdez left the detention facility unnoticed in an ambulance. Castro said acknowledging errors helps prevent the spread of misinformation and promotes accountability in public discourse.

Paraluman News with a report of Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/Philippine News Agency