MANILA— The Sandiganbayan Third Division has directed two Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials to appear before the anti-graft court on Thursday to testify on the detention status of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez amid allegations that he was allowed to leave the New Quezon City Jail without authorization.

In a statement, Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma said the court issued the order following online reports questioning whether the former House Speaker was being held continuously at the detention facility in Payatas, Quezon City.

“In light of the recent online news articles, the Sandiganbayan Third Division has issued a Resolution ordering Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes P. Pacion and Medical Officer Henry N. Fabro, both of BJMP City Jail-Male Dormitory, Payatas, Q.C., to personally appear and testify tomorrow, November 5, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., re: the current status of accused Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez’s custody at BJMP Payatas,” Pulma said.

Romualdez is facing a P7.4-billion plunder case over alleged kickbacks from government funds, alongside former House appropriations panel chairperson Zaldy Co of Ako Bicol party-list, his personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.

The BJMP earlier confirmed that it was investigating reports that Romualdez could leave the jail and return at will. The agency also released a video showing the lawmaker, wearing a detainee uniform, walking around the jail building as it maintained that he remained in custody.

Malacañang, meanwhile, dismissed allegations that Romualdez was receiving special treatment while detained, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro describing him as one of the “big fish” being closely monitored in the investigation into the flood control controversy.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Castro criticized the circulation of claims that she said could undermine government agencies carrying out their responsibilities.

“Sa mga maaaring nagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon, ano po ba ang inyong nais? Anong motibo? Ang motibo dito ay sirain ang gobyerno, sirain ang mga ahensiyang tumutupad sa kanilang tungkulin (To those who may be spreading misinformation, what is it that you want? What is your motive? The motive here is to undermine the government and the agencies that are performing their duties),” Castro said.

“So, huwag po nating palabasin na ganoon dahil alam po natin na si Speaker Romualdez ay isa sa malaking sinasabing big fish na tinututukan para malaman natin ang katotohanan (So, let us not make it appear that way because we know that Speaker Romualdez is considered one of the so-called big fish being closely monitored to establish the truth),” she added.

The Palace statement followed social media allegations that electricity at the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory had been cut off to disable closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, supposedly allowing Romualdez to leave the facility aboard an ambulance without being detected.

Castro said the jail’s CCTV system is linked to the BJMP, allowing authorities to monitor activity inside the detention facility.

She cited the agency’s initial examination of surveillance footage, which reportedly showed no power interruption at the facility during the past month.

Castro also said the last recorded movement involving Romualdez was his departure from the jail to attend a court hearing on Oct. 12.

“Initial CCTV verification by BJMP national headquarters showed no recorded power or CCTV interruption at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory and no recorded movement of Rep. Martin Romualdez outside the facility during the period examined,” Castro said, quoting a BJMP statement.

The BJMP launched an investigation into the allegations on Nov. 3, she added.

Castro further reiterated that all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are subject to the same custodial regulations and that leaving a detention facility requires a proper court order.

“We welcome relevant information from the public and then cooperate with any investigation by other government agencies. The BJMP assures the public of its commitment to professionalism, transparency and equal treatment of all PDLs without distinction and privilege,” Castro said.