Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday questioned what he described as a recurring pattern of high-profile personalities being hospitalized after arrest warrants are issued or after they are cited in contempt.
Speaking in a radio interview, Lacson cited the cases of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who are facing separate plunder and graft cases before the Sandiganbayan and are currently confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital.
“Since time immemorial, that’s what happens. When someone is cited in contempt by the Senate, they end up in the hospital. When someone is arrested, they end up in the hospital. Illnesses suddenly appear once a warrant is issued,” Lacson said.
He said the repeated hospitalizations create the impression of a pattern in cases involving prominent personalities.
Lacson also questioned who is paying for the medical expenses and hospital accommodations of Bonoan and Marcoleta, noting that the PNP General Hospital is primarily intended for police personnel and their qualified dependents.
“As far as I know, Secretary Bonoan is not a dependent of the PNP, and neither is Sen. Marcoleta,” he said.
The senator, a former Philippine National Police chief, also expressed concern that some PNP personnel have difficulty obtaining hospital accommodations while non-dependents are being admitted.
Lacson said he plans to seek clarification from the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government during deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
