New arrest warrants issued vs Marcoleta, Defensor for bribery raps

While both are currently being held by authorities, the Sandiganbayan has issued new arrest warrants against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and his campaign donor former congressman Michael Defensor. The anti-graft court’s Fourth Division issued arrest warrants and prescribed bail of P30,000 for each of the defendants. The court also released hold-departure orders against them. Based on the court’s orders publicized by the Philippine National Police, the Fourth Division has directed its sheriff to serve the arrest warrants and commitment orders against Marcoleta – who remains confined at the PNP General Hospital for pneumonia – and Defensor, who is held at the New Quezon City Jail. The commitment orders directed the “continued confinement” of Defensor, as well as the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to “temporarily hold (Marcoleta) in their custody.” The Fourth Division is handling the case against Marcoleta, Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray for violating Presidential Decree 46 that bans government officials from receiving gifts, and for private individuals to give such gifts. The warrant of arrest for violation of Presidential Decree 46 was served to Marcoleta and Defensor. “It was already served by the sheriff of Sandiganbayan,” according to CIDG-National Capital Region field office chief Col. John Guiagui. The official has no information if Marcoleta and Defensor already posted P30,000 each in bail for the case. The PNP said that the Sandiganbayan has issued a commitment order placing Marcoleta under the CIDG’s custody pending trial and until further orders from the court. “Sen. Marcoleta is still undergoing medical evaluation and treatment at the PNP GH and there is no other commitment order for him to be placed in a detention facility,” it said. Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan Third Division handling the plunder case against Marcoleta and others over the undisclosed P75-million campaign donations will hear today the status of the lawmaker’s health. It has received reports from the PNP General Hospital on the medical condition of Marcoleta, which could be tackled during the hearing. Padilla visits MarcoletaSen. Robinhood Padilla yesterday visited his ally Marcoleta at the PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Padilla arrived at the PNP’s premier hospital at around 2:27 p.m. He did not grant an interview with reporters and immediately proceeded to the hospital. At around 3:57 p.m., Padilla’s vehicle was seen leaving the hospital’s premises. Security has been tight at the hospital since Monday after Marcoleta was brought to the medical facility due to chest pains and headaches. Guiagui said Padilla first requested clearance from CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II for his visit. Since Marcoleta is under their custody, Guiagui said visitors should first coordinate with the CIDG. “Whoever wants to visit must first pass through us because he is under our security watch,” he said. Marcoleta has dyslipidemia or high cholesterol, based on the latest update that the PNP General Hospital released yesterday. Meanwhile, Sen. Robin- hood Padilla yesterday visited Marcoleta. – Emmanuel Tupas