SEN. Rodante Marcoleta is now “clinically stable” and “fit to travel” but the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) Health Service still recommends that he finishes his antibiotics before he is transferred by July 15.
“Senator Marcoleta is clinically stable, his blood pressure is under control right now, and we have already submitted the medical reports, so let’s just wait for now,” Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, PNPGH Internal Medicine chief, told reporters in Filipino on Monday.
“Regarding his fitness to travel, we are just waiting for the completion of his antibiotics this July 15,” he added.
During his arrest on July 6, Marcoleta complained of chest and back pains. He was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and mild pneumonia.
Bayani earlier said more tests were needed as the lawmaker’s blood pressure kept fluctuating.
A week later, Bayani said Marcoleta could be discharged at any moment but it is up to the Sandiganbayan to decide whether to take custody of him while he finishes his medicines or allow him to stay at the PNPGH.
Bayani also clarified that it is the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which is responsible for the safeguarding of the senator and not the PNPGH. She insisted that the Health Service is only responsible for medical matters and is not accountable for the lawmaker’s security.
This was after Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ronald Moreno questioned the PNP General Hospital for allowing Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robinhood Padilla to visit Marcoleta after it recommended that the lawmaker should be isolated due to his mild pneumonia.
Bayani declined to go into details but only said the PNPGH and the CIDG have already agreed on what to do with Marcoleta’s visitors.
Marcoleta has been staying at the PNPGH since his arrest July 6. He was arrested over plunder charges for his acceptance of P75 million in campaign funds.
