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The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has launched an investigation into allegations that former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has been sneaking out of the Quezon City Jail.
In a statement, the BJMP said its chief, Jail Director Efren Nemeño, ordered an immediate investigation on Tuesday after the allegations surfaced.
“The investigation is ongoing. The BJMP reiterates that all persons deprived of liberty (PDL) are subject to the same custodial rules and that any movement outside the jail requires a proper court order,” the agency said.
“We welcome relevant information from the public and will cooperate with any investigation by other government agencies,” it added.
On Tuesday, columnist Ramon Tulfo made the allegations, citing information from a source he referred to as his “tweety bird.”
He claimed that Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion allegedly switches off the facility’s electricity whenever Romualdez leaves and returns, to prevent CCTV footage from being recorded.
According to Tulfo, Romualdez supposedly uses the jail’s back stairs, where an ambulance allegedly waits to transport him.
“Pareho sa ginagawa noon kay [former senator Bong Revilla], noong bago siya nakapag-bail, kapag nagpapasok ng Vivamax girls. Pinapapatay ni Warden ang ilaw ng buong jail upang palabasin na may brownout,” Tulfo said.
(It’s the same as what was allegedly done for former senator Bong Revilla before he was released on bail, when Vivamax girls were brought in. The warden supposedly turned off the lights throughout the jail to make it appear there was a power outage.)
“Ewan daw kung Vivamax boys o girls ang pinapapasok para kay [Senator Jinggoy Estrada], sabi ng aking naughty tweety bird,” he added.
(I don’t know if Vivamax boys or girls were brought in for Senator Jinggoy Estrada, my naughty tweety bird said.)
Tulfo urged investigators to check the jail’s logbook for records of power interruptions, claiming these could indicate when Romualdez allegedly leaves and returns to the facility.
However, the BJMP said initial CCTV verification showed no recorded power or surveillance camera interruptions and no movement by Romualdez outside the facility during the period examined.
“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,” the agency said.
“The BJMP assures the public of its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and equal treatment of all PDL, without distinction or special privilege,” it added.
Romualdez is detained at the Quezon City Jail in connection with a P7.44-billion plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from flood control, infrastructure and other government projects implemented from 2022 to 2025.
According to the Office of the Ombudsman’s case filed before the Sandiganbayan, Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co allegedly received at least P7.44 billion in commissions, shares, kickbacks and other financial benefits from contractors and other entities involved in government projects on at least 15 occasions.
The alleged proceeds were reportedly laundered through shell companies and other conduits.
Romualdez was arrested on Sept. 7, 2026, after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant in connection with the case. He was subsequently transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas on Sept. 14, following a medical assessment by doctors at the Philippine General Hospital.
He has pleaded not guilty to the plunder charge and has maintained his innocence, saying he is prepared to answer the allegations before the court. — MCG, GMA News
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