Malacañang on Friday distanced itself from reports that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was receiving special treatment while detained at the New Quezon City Jail. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Palace could not confirm whether a staff member was serving as Romualdez’s special aide and called for a deeper investigation into the matter. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology confirmed that Romualdez remained in custody alongside a staff member, following rumors that he had escaped.
Castro said authorities should determine whether the arrangement constituted special treatment and ensure that such practices are not tolerated. She also praised columnist Ramon Tulfo for retracting his earlier claim that Romualdez had escaped from detention.
