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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sandiganbayan seeks medical report as Marcoleta still in PNP hospital

Sandiganbayan seeks medical report as Marcoleta still in PNP hospital

Published Jul 8, 2026 02:47 pm
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after police served the arrest warrant for a case of plunder. (Santi San Juan)
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after police served the arrest warrant for a case of plunder. (Santi San Juan)
The Sandiganbayan ordered on Wednesday, July 8, the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit booking procedure report that includes the medical condition of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta amid his continuous stay inside a hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City since his arrest on Monday.
The order was issued by the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan where Marcoleta and his three other co-accused, including former congressman Mike Defensor, is facing plunder in connection with the supposed P75 million election donation which the former admitted to have received.
In the order signed by the three justices of the anti-graft court, the PNP was tasked to submit separate reports on current status of the custody, booking process and/or detention of Marcoleta and his latest health and medical condition.
The order, according to the court, must be complied within 24 hours from the receipt of the order.
Marcoleta has been at the PNP General Hospital since his arrest after he complained of chest and nape pains during the booking procedures. During the medical check-up, it was found out that his blood pressure was high.
Police chose to bring him Marcoleta to the PNP General Hospital over his medical condition and in consideration of his age. Marcoleta is 72 years old.
Preserving life
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the arrest warrant was already returned to the Third Division of the Sandiganbayan on Monday but said Marcoleta had to be attended to due to his medical condition.
“He cannot still be physically brought because according to the doctors, his blood pressure is fluctuating,” said Nartatez.
But he assured that there will be no special treatment.
“We are concerned that something might happen if he is brought there (Sandiganbayan). Of course, we need to preserve, protect life,” he stressed.
Nartatez said Marcoleta will have to undergo series of test to come up with full report on his health status that will be presented to the Sandiganbayan.
Longer stay?
Based on the latest medical report of PNP doctors, Marcoleta will undergo rehabilitation therapy after he was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease or a problem with his spine.
He was also diagnosed to have a mild pneumonia, according to PNPGH chief of Internal Medicine, Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani.
"Right now, Senator Marcoleta is okay, but his blood pressure is higher today compared to yesterday and is 160/90. His other symptoms, like yesterday's chest pain and then the pain, are somewhat gone, so our problem now is really with blood pressure," Bayani said.
"The blood pressure 160/90 is considered hypertensive stage 2. At his age, it is high, so he has symptoms like chest pain, back pain, and things like that," she added.
This makes Marcoleta unfit for travel in the meantime according to Bayani.

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PNP Sandiganbayan Rodante Marcoleta plunder
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