Senator Rodante Marcoleta was ordered transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory on Wednesday, July 15, after the Sandiganbayan found that his medical condition no longer warranted continuous hospitalization.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued the order after considering the findings of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, both of which found the 72-year-old senator fit to travel.

The medical evaluation was conducted after the court, in an order issued on July 10, directed UP-PGH to examine Marcoleta and submit an independent assessment of his health condition.

“In view of the findings of the UP-PGH, and also of the PNP General Hospital, which says that accused Marcoleta can travel, the court hereby orders the transfer of custody of accused Marcoleta to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory,” Sandiganbayan Third Division Chairperson Associate Justice Karl Miranda said.

The court also ordered that Marcoleta, who is charged with plunder under Criminal Case No. E-SB-CRM-26-0018, be committed to the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory as a detention prisoner.

The order stated that Marcoleta “shall not be moved, removed, transferred, or otherwise be released therefrom, unless ordered by the court.”

During the hearing, UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi said a panel of five senior consultants from the hospital's Department of Internal Medicine independently evaluated Marcoleta and reviewed his medical records from the PNP General Hospital.

Legaspi said the panel found the senator comfortable, able to move on his own, and with normal vital signs.

A repeat chest X-ray showed no signs of pneumonia, while an electrocardiogram and laboratory tests also yielded normal results.

Asked by the court whether Marcoleta's medical conditions posed an immediate threat to his life, Legaspi replied, “None, Your Honor.”

When asked whether any of the senator's conditions required continuous hospitalization, Legaspi said, “It was unanimously agreed that there is no finding or medical condition that would require continuous hospitalization.”

He added that Marcoleta's medical conditions, including his hypertension, could be managed on an outpatient basis with prescribed maintenance medications.

Marcoleta has been confined at the PNP General Hospital since his arrest on July 6 after complaining of chest tightness and nape pain during processing.

PNP doctors later diagnosed him with mild pneumonia, Stage 2 hypertension, degenerative disc disease, and high cholesterol.

Although they found him fit to travel, they recommended that he remain hospitalized until he completed a seven-day course of antibiotics for pneumonia.

The Sandiganbayan subsequently ordered an independent medical examination by UP-PGH after questions were raised during the July 10 proceedings regarding Marcoleta's continued confinement at the hospital.

Before issuing Wednesday's transfer order, the court also heard from the superintendent of the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, who assured the Sandiganbayan that the facility has the capability to administer Marcoleta's prescribed medications, monitor his vital signs, and transfer him to the nearest government hospital if necessary.