MANILA— Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has vowed to conduct unannounced inspections at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) detention facility in Payatas, Quezon City, following reports that former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez had allegedly been leaving the jail without authorization.

Remulla said Friday that he was alarmed by reports questioning whether Romualdez was being continuously held at the New Quezon City Jail – Male Dormitory.

“We don’t want special treatment for anybody,” Remulla said in a briefing.

“Susugod lang ako ro’n basta’t walang warning ‘yan. Ako mismo pupunta ako ro’n,” he added.

The Ombudsman’s announcement came as the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered two BJMP officials to personally appear before the anti-graft court and testify on Romualdez’s detention status.

In a statement, Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma said the court issued a resolution directing Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes P. Pacion and Medical Officer Henry N. Fabro to attend a hearing on November 5 at 8:30 a.m.

“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.

The court’s order followed online reports alleging that the former House Speaker was allowed to leave the detention facility and return at will.

The BJMP earlier confirmed that it was investigating the allegations and released a video showing Romualdez, wearing a detainee uniform, walking around the jail premises. The agency maintained that he remained in custody.

Romualdez has been detained since September over a plunder case involving approximately P7.4 billion in alleged kickbacks from government projects.

He is facing the charge alongside former House appropriations committee chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, his personal assistant Joselyn Tragua Sereño, and Samchan Foreign Exchange Corporation president Felicito Cristobal Guevarra.