MANILA — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is experiencing stress and difficulty sleeping while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, according to one of his attending physicians.

Dr. Rogelio Libarnes said there is also concern that Romualdez could suffer what he described as a “silent stroke” because of the lawmaker’s medical history.

The warning refers to a possible risk and not a confirmed new stroke.

Romualdez has a history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. Previous reports citing his medical records said he has coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular ischemic disease and underwent angioplasty in 2024. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also earlier said Romualdez suffered a transient ischemic attack in July 2026.

His medical condition came under scrutiny during a Sandiganbayan hearing on his request to remain confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center while facing a plunder case.

Doctors who testified before the anti-graft court described Romualdez’s condition as serious but not an emergency. Another attending physician, Dr. Rosalio Torres, said Romualdez has unstable angina with underlying coronary disease and is at high risk of a possible heart attack.

Romualdez was unable to personally attend the September 10 hearing after Cardinal Santos certified that he was medically unfit to travel.

The Sandiganbayan has since transferred custody of Romualdez from the Philippine National Police to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. He remains confined at Cardinal Santos pending further orders from the court.

Romualdez has been hospitalized since September 7, the same day the Sandiganbayan issued and authorities served an arrest warrant against him in connection with a P7.4-billion plunder case.

The court has yet to make a final determination on whether his medical condition warrants continued confinement at the private hospital.

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