BJMP told to justify Romualdez's personal aide inside cell
MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has ordered the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to explain why a personal aide of Leyte Rep. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was allowed inside his detention cell.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, November 6, Remulla directed the BJMP leadership to submit a comprehensive report within 48 hours detailing the legal and administrative basis for allowing the aide inside the detention cell, the circumstances surrounding the arrangement and the officials or personnel involved.
The report must include supporting records and documents and establish whether applicable laws and regulations were followed, Remulla said.
"I have said this before, and I will say it again: the law must be applied equally across all jail facilities. No position, political influence, or personal connection exempts anyone from compliance with established rules and regulations," he said.
The DILG chief said the authorization of the aide's presence inside Romualdez's detention cell warrants "immediate scrutiny and a full accounting" from the BJMP.
"Incomplete findings, unsupported explanations, and failure to comply with this directive will not be accepted," Remulla said.
Remulla also ordered the BJMP to preserve all relevant records and warned that any violations established by the investigation would be addressed promptly.
"Any official found to have exceeded that authority or violated established regulations will face appropriate administrative proceedings and, where warranted, criminal prosecution, with due process fully observed," he said.
He stressed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would enforce accountability among its personnel, saying the integrity of the country's custodial institutions should not be compromised by unauthorized privileges.
"No special treatment. No selective enforcement. No one is above the law," Remulla said.
The directive came after New Quezon City Jail warden Supt. Maria Lourdes Pacion confirmed before the Sandiganbayan Third Division on November 5 that Romualdez had a personal staff member staying with him inside his detention cell.
Pacion said she authorized the arrangement because Romualdez needed assistance with his daily needs and the jail could not provide additional personnel to attend to him.
"I allowed it because his mental state is not yet that stable per my assessment. We cannot hire more personnel to attend to the personal needs of Congressman Romualdez," Pacion told the court.
She also cited humanitarian considerations in allowing the arrangement, saying jail personnel could not attend to all the needs of persons deprived of liberty.
Romualdez has been detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas since September in connection with a P7.4-billion plunder case linked to the alleged flood control corruption scandal.
The Sandiganbayan has separately ordered jail authorities to submit a detailed report on Romualdez's whereabouts inside the facility, including CCTV footage and records of individuals authorized to assist him.
abtestabtest VP’s SALN, AMLC records formally admitted into evidence By Neil Jayson Servallos | 17 hours ago The Senate impeachment court has formally admitted into evidence the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)... Headlines VP Sara to visit Hong Kong ahead of impeachment trial resumption By Alyana Uy | 1 day ago The Office of the Vice President announced that Vice President Sara Duterte will be in Hong Kong until November 8, just one... Headlines Senate impeachment court reimposes gag order for withdrawn articles By Cristina Chi | 1 day ago The Senate impeachment court has reimposed its gag order on the three charges prosecutors dropped against Vice President Sara... Headlines VP Sara leaves for Hong Kong By Bella Cariaso | 17 hours ago Vice President Sara Duterte left for Hong Kong yesterday where she is expected to stay until Nov. 8, a day before her defense... Headlines Socmed affecting public perception of VP impeachment By Janvic Mateo | 17 hours ago Public opinion of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is largely affected by information being shared... Headlines Latest More in Headlines China thanks Philippines for help in repatriating over 100 POGO-linked suspects 'Prosecution had its chance. It failed': Duterte camp says ahead of VP Sara's defense Meghan Markle's dad arrested in US over child sex abuse images found in PH President Marcos nominates 9 Cabinet members to Commission on Appointments abtest SC upholds law giving barangay execs 5-year term By Daphne Galvez | 17 hours ago The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the constitutionality of the law that postponed the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections... Headlines ‘DepEd saved P1.4 billion in laptop procurement for teachers’ By Bella Cariaso | 17 hours ago The Department of Education saved at least P1.4 billion in procuring more than 231,000 laptops for public school teachers... Headlines Brazil’s President Lula to attend Asean summit By Pia Lee-Brago | 17 hours ago Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will visit the Philippines to participate in the 49th Association of... Headlines Pump price rollback: P13 for gas, P4 for diesel By Brix Lelis | 17 hours ago A major rollback in pump prices is expected next week as fears of an escalation in the Iran war ease following losses by US... Headlines Recommended VP Sara leaves for Hong Kong 17 hours ago Vice President Sara Duterte left for Hong Kong yesterday where she is expected to stay until Nov. 8, a day before her defense... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT Socmed affecting public perception of VP impeachment 17 hours ago Public opinion of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is largely affected by information being shared... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT VP’s SALN, AMLC records formally admitted into evidence 17 hours ago The Senate impeachment court has formally admitted into evidence the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT VP Sara to visit Hong Kong ahead of impeachment trial resumption 1 day ago The Office of the Vice President announced that Vice President Sara Duterte will be in Hong Kong until November 8, just one... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENT TRIALOVPSARA DUTERTE Senate impeachment court reimposes gag order for withdrawn articles 1 day ago The Senate impeachment court has reimposed its gag order on the three charges prosecutors dropped against Vice President Sara... HeadlinesIMPEACHMENTSARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENTSENATE next Recommended VP Sara leaves for Hong Kong Vice President Sara Duterte left for Hong Kong yesterday where she is expected to stay until Nov. 8, a day before her defense team starts to present evidence in the ongoing impeachment trial against her. 17 hours ago IMPEACHMENT Socmed affecting public perception of VP impeachment Public opinion of the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is largely affected by information being shared on social media, a political scientist said. 17 hours ago IMPEACHMENT VP’s SALN, AMLC records formally admitted into evidence The Senate impeachment court has formally admitted into evidence the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records of Vice President Sara Duterte, while denying the prosecution’s plea to include Commission on Audit (COA) reports regarding her controversial confidential funds. 17 hours ago IMPEACHMENT VP Sara to visit Hong Kong ahead of impeachment trial resumption The Office of the Vice President announced that Vice President Sara Duterte will be in Hong Kong until November 8, just one day before the resumption of her impeachment trial. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OVP SARA DUTERTE Senate impeachment court reimposes gag order for withdrawn articles The Senate impeachment court has reimposed its gag order on the three charges prosecutors dropped against Vice President Sara Duterte, reversing an October ruling that had freed both sides to discuss them in public. 1 day ago IMPEACHMENT SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
