The Sandiganbayan has ordered authorities to transfer detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta from the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for an independent medical examination.
In an order issued Monday, the anti-graft court’s Third Division directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and PNPGH personnel to bring Marcoleta to PGH at 12 noon on Tuesday. The court also ordered the attending physicians to appear before the Sandiganbayan at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to present the results of the examination.
Following the medical assessment, authorities were instructed to return Marcoleta to the PNP General Hospital before presenting him before the court on Wednesday. The CIDG and PNPGH were likewise directed to submit a compliance report within three days.
The order came as the PNP General Hospital confirmed that Marcoleta is medically fit to travel once he completes his antibiotic treatment for mild pneumonia.
According to PNPGH Internal Medicine Chief Police Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, Marcoleta is expected to complete his prescribed antibiotics on Wednesday, July 15. She said the senator remains in stable condition, with his blood pressure under control at 130/90.
Despite being declared fit for travel, Bayani said she could not yet determine the exact date and time when Marcoleta would be transferred to a detention facility, pending court directives.
Marcoleta has been under hospital detention after being charged with plunder over the alleged non-declaration of P75 million in campaign donations. Two days after his arrest, doctors diagnosed him with mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease.
The PNP General Hospital has already submitted an updated medical report on Marcoleta’s condition to the Sandiganbayan.
