SEN. Rodante Marcoleta, charged with plunder, is fit to stand trial, doctors at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) said Tuesday, after conducting an independent medical evaluation on the senator.
Marcoleta has been detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) since his arrest on July 6 for a variety of ailments, but the Sandiganbayan ordered an independent medical evaluation to determine if his confinement at the police hospital was still necessary.
“So far so good and we’re just waiting for the document (from PGH) stating what we were told, that Marcoleta is fit to be presented to the Sandiganbayan by 8:30 a.m.,” said Col. John Guiagui of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in English and Filipino.
Marcoleta left the PNPGH at 11:15 a.m., arrived at the PGH at around noon and came back at Camp Crame shortly at 1:33 p.m. He was on board a PNP coaster and was seen wearing handcuffs as well as an orange detainee shirt under a protective vest and a jacket.
He was also in a wheelchair as he was being brought to the coaster as a matter of hospital protocol on patients being discharged.
Guiagui said it was up to the Sandiganbayan to determine if Marcoleta is fit to be committed to a jail facility.
In a resolution dated July 13, the Sandiganbayan Third Division scheduled Marcoleta to appear before anti-graft court on July 15 but since his arrest on July 6, the lawmaker had been confined at PNPGH after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and mild pneumonia. He also recorded high blood pressure.
The anti-graft court then ordered an independent medical evaluation to determine if it was still necessary for him to be confined at the PNP hospital.
Guiagui said PNP doctors turned over Marcoleta’s medical records to PGH. All needed laboratory tests were done as well as 2D Echo, X-ray, physical and respiratory evaluations.
Guiagui said the evaluation would put an end to speculation spreading online about Maroleta’s stay at the PNPGH.
PNP doctors on Monday said Marcoleta is “clinically stable” and was “fit to travel” but it recommended that he finishes his antibiotics that are set to end by July 15.
Marcoleta was arrested for plunder in connection with a P75-million campaign donation to fund his senatorial bid.
Bonoan in stable condition
Also on Tuesday, the PNP said former Public Works chief Manuel Bonoan is in stable condition.
Bonoan was expected to appear before the Sandiganbayan Second Division on Tuesday for the hearing of his graft case.
“Bonoan is stable. Those are the reports we received from the PNP General Hospital,” PNP public information chief, Col. Allen Rae Co, said in an interview at Camp Crame.
Following his arrest, Bonoan was brought and confined at the PNPGH after experiencing “dangerously high” blood pressure.
Bonoan was briefly taken to The Medical City in Pasig City upon the PNP’s recommendation, citing a supposed need for more advanced testing, but the Sandiganbayan ordered that he be confined at the PNP General Hospital.
