Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed as fake news allegations that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez has been leaving his detention facility without authorization, saying initial CCTV checks by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) showed no power interruptions or unauthorized movements.
During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said the BJMP found no recorded power outages or disruptions in CCTV footage at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, where Romualdez is being detained.
Castro said the initial review also showed no record of Romualdez leaving the facility over the past month, except for his departure to attend his court hearing on October 12.
"Minabuti po talaga natin malaman ang katotohanan dito dahil hindi pwedeng ang isang tao, grupo ng tao ay mas lalamang sa ordinaryong tao. Pantay-pantay po dapat ang pagtrato kahit anuman ang posisyon mo, kahit anuman ang relasyon mo, kahit anuman ang kulay mo," Castro stressed.
According to Castro, BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera confirmed that the jail's CCTV system is connected to the agency's monitoring network, allowing authorities to track movements within the facility.
"So, nakausap po natin at nagbigay po ng latest report si BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera. Ang sabi po niya, yung CCTV ng kulungan kung saan naka-detain si dating speaker Martin Romualdez, ay connected po sa BJMP. So, kita po nila ang movement. So, nung na-review ang CCTV, walang nakitang power outage for the past one month," she added.
'Immediate investigation' ordered
The allegations prompted BJMP Chief Director Efren Nemeño to order an "immediate investigation" on November 3, 2026. The agency said the probe remains ongoing.
In an official statement, the BJMP said its initial CCTV verification by the national headquarters found no recorded power or CCTV interruption at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory and no recorded movement by Romualdez outside the facility during the period examined.
"The BJMP takes these allegations seriously," the agency said, adding that all persons deprived of liberty are subject to the same custodial rules.
It also stressed that any movement outside the jail requires a proper court order and said it would "cooperate with investigations by other government agencies."
Castro said the Palace wanted the allegations thoroughly examined to ensure that no individual receives special treatment because of political position, personal connections or affiliation.
She also challenged the public to verify the claims by checking the CCTV footage through the BJMP and the Quezon City Jail authorities.
Castro questioned the motives of those spreading misinformation, accusing them of trying to undermine the government and discredit agencies carrying out their duties.
"Sa mga maaaring nagpapakalat na mali impormasyon, ano po ba ang inyong nais? Anong motibo? Ang motibo dito ay sirain ang gobyerno, sirain ang mga ahensya na tumutupad sa kanilang tungkulin. So, huwag po natin palabasin na ganun dahil alam natin na si Speaker Romualdez ay isa sa malaking, sinasabing isa sa big fish na tinututukan para malaman natin ang katotohanan,” Castro said.
“But still, sabi nga natin, lahat po ng may kaso sa ngayon, hindi naman nangangahulugan na lahat sila ay maaari nang guilty. Depende po yan sa kanila [ang] magiging depensa,” she added.
Castro urged those spreading the allegations to provide evidence and questioned their motives, saying false information could undermine public trust in government institutions.
“Pero para sirain ang ahensya na nagbabantay kay Representative Martin Romualdez, huwag niyo naman po ang gawin. Kasi kasiraan din po ’yan sa buong bansa. Kasi ang fake news na ginagawa niyo, kapag hindi po natugunan agad, lumalabas na totoo kahit na hindi,” she said.
