Manila: Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez should receive treatment consistent with established legal procedures following his transfer to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas, Malacanang said Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, in a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro stated that she had not discussed with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. the transfer of Romualdez to the new detention facility. She reiterated the administration's stance that the law and due process must be observed. Castro emphasized that all accused persons should receive equal treatment regardless of their status or position, underscoring that Romualdez, a cousin of the President, is presumed innocent until the court's ruling becomes final.

Castro noted that some accused persons may remain in detention due to the nature of the cases they face and court orders concerning bail. Their detention does not remove their right to due process. The Sandiganbayan on Monday ordered Romualdez's transfer from the Philippine General Hospital to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory after doctors declared him stable and not requiring special medical monitoring.

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan against Romualdez, former House Appropriations Committee chairperson Zaldy Co, and two private individuals for allegedly accumulating PHP7.4 billion in ill-gotten wealth through kickbacks, "commitments," and other schemes involving government infrastructure projects.

In a related development, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Romualdez's transfer to the jail facility on Monday night. BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera indicated that no security threats or incidents had been reported concerning Romualdez's incarceration.

Remulla also disclosed plans to travel to France to address Zaldy Co's reported bid for asylum. He aims to convince French authorities that Co, accused of stealing USD1 billion from the Philippines, does not deserve asylum. Remulla is coordinating with French authorities and may head there within the next 10 days to seek a "red notice" from Interpol against Co.

The DILG chief clarified that his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, is also heading to France on a different mission, unrelated to the asylum issue concerning Co.