The Sandiganbayan Third Division has ordered Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to undergo a medical examination at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to evaluate his continued confinement at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH). The court issued the directive on July 13, requiring the senator to appear for a hearing on July 15 regarding his ongoing plunder case.
Court Directive on Medical Confinement
The Sandiganbayan’s resolution mandates that Col. John Guiagui, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group unit director for Metro Manila, and Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, chief of the Internal Medicine Department at PNPGH, facilitate the transfer. Marcoleta was ordered to be brought to the PGH at 12 noon on July 14. Dr. Gerardo Legaspi of the PGH is tasked with determining if there is an “imperative need” for the senator to remain hospitalized rather than being moved to a standard jail facility.
Background of the Plunder Case
The court issued a warrant for Marcoleta’s arrest on July 6. The charges stem from a P75 million campaign donation that state prosecutors allege the senator failed to declare in his financial and campaign disclosures while serving as a party-list lawmaker. Following the issuance of the warrant, Marcoleta was admitted to the PNPGH after reporting chest pains and receiving a diagnosis of hypertension. Unlike the senator, his three co-accused—former Rep. Mike Defensor and businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu—have had their arrest warrants returned and are currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Outcomes
The arraignment and pretrial for Marcoleta and his co-accused were originally set for July 10 but were postponed due to pending motions. Following the medical examination, Dr. Legaspi is required to testify before the Third Division on July 15 regarding the results of the tests and the necessity of the senator’s hospitalization. If the court determines that the medical confinement is no longer required, Marcoleta may be transferred to a regular detention facility to face the pending plunder charges alongside his co-accused. The upcoming hearing serves as a critical point for the court to resolve the status of the senator’s custody and proceed with the delayed arraignment.
Related reading
