MANILA, Philippines — Detained Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is "fit to travel" and may appear before the Sandiganbayan to face charges of plunder.
Marcoleta is confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) for chest pains and mild pneumonia.
At the hearing at the Sandiganbayan''s third division on Friday, Philippine National Police General Hospital Chief of Internal Medicine Belany Bayani said that Marcoleta, despite his condition, could appear before the court as long as he was wearing a face mask.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda also ordered Bayani to submit a notarized report on his condition until he was able to attend the hearings.
Meanwhile, Associate Justice Ronald Moreno questioned why Sen. Robin Padilla and Vice President Sara Duterte were allowed entry into the hospital despite his condition.
Col. John Guiagui, PNP-CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) National Capital Region director, said that he could not answer the question as it was the prerogative of the patient and that the PNP General Hospital would not tighten its rules on visitors.
