Marcoleta transferred to city jail after pneumonia recovery

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday ordered the transfer of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to the new Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas after doctors cleared him of pneumonia, ending his nine-day hospital arrest. Associate Justice Karl Miranda, chair of the antigraft court’s Third Division, issued the order as he cited the latest findings of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) on the 72-year-old lawmaker. Dr. Gerardo Legaspi of PGH told the court that Marcoleta, who is facing a plunder case, has recovered from pneumonia and that his hypertension could now be managed outside the hospital. “The repeat X-ray shows normal findings. There are no signs of pneumonia anymore,” Legaspi said. “The complete blood count did not show signs of infection.” “His [blood pressure] is historically high at 160 over 90, but it was already 140 over 80 with the medications,” he added. Legaspi also said the team of PGH doctors who attended to the accused “unanimously agreed that there is no finding or medical condition that would require [Marcoleta’s] hospitalization.” On July 6, Miranda ordered the arrest of the senator in connection with the plunder case arising from his failure to declare a P75-million donation he received for his campaign when he ran for senator in last year’s elections. Also arrested were his three coaccused—including former Rep. Mike Defensor—who were revealed by Marcoleta in a TV interview to be the donors. Instead of being taken to the city jail that day, Marcoleta was admitted to the PNPGH at Camp Crame, Quezon City, after complaining of chest pains and hypertension. Meanwhile, Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera, spokesperson for the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, gave assurance that “no special treatment will be given to any [person deprived of liberty] under the bureau’s custody.” “Only authorized visitors, such as immediate family members, legal counsel, and attending physicians, are permitted entry following proper screening, verification, and documentation procedures,” Bustinera told the Inquirer. The jail’s closed-circuit television system is remotely monitored by the bureau’s national headquarters for better oversight and accountability, he said. Miranda inspected the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, including its detention cells and medical facilities, and found them to be adequate for detention, according to Bustinera. Meanwhile, two of Marcoleta’s coaccused—Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu—informed the court on Wednesday that they would no longer file a petition for bail in their case. The other accused, businessman Aristotle Viray, filed a motion for bail. Because of this, their earlier motion to quash the information is now “deemed withdrawn,” according to Miranda. For his part, Marcoleta intends to file a petition for bail, though he has a pending motion to quash the case. Miranda said the court will first resolve the senator’s pending motion before setting the bail hearing. —WITH A REPORT FROM ANDREA GREGORIO