Ombudsman to conduct surprise inspections at Quezon City Jail

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Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla says his office will conduct surprise inspections at the Quezon City Jail in Payatas following reports that former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez had been able to leave the detention facility. Remulla said he would personally visit the jail without prior notice to check whether its rules were being properly enforced and ensure no detainee receives special treatment. He said the inspections could take place at any time, including late at night. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology earlier denied reports that Romualdez had sneaked out of the facility. During a Sandiganbayan hearing, Quezon City Jail Superintendent Maria Lourdes Pacion also confirmed that Romualdez was allowed to have a personal assistant while in detention, citing concerns over his mental condition. Remulla, however, questioned the arrangement, saying such accommodation amounted to preferential treatment and could constitute a violation of the BJMP officials' oath of service. The Ombudsman warned that he would not hesitate to dismiss personnel from the service if an investigation establishes wrongdoing. He also raised security concerns over the arrangement, noting that Romualdez's supposed personal aide could freely enter and leave the detention facility. Malacañang, meanwhile, said the circumstances surrounding the former lawmaker's personal assistant should be investigated. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said any form of special treatment should not be tolerated in detention facilities. She added that the arrangement could be considered an extravagance if proven. Meanwhile, Remulla said he would file complaints before the Department of Information and Communications Technology and social media platform Facebook over the proliferation of fake news. The Ombudsman cited misleading information about cases being handled by his office, as well as false reports about his health. He said authorities were already investigating tho...