MANILA, Philippines – Senator Rodante Marcoleta was taken to the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital on Monday after complaining of chest pain and high blood pressure following his arrest on plunder charges, authorities said.
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| Photo courtesy: Philippine Star / Sen. Rodante Marcoleta |
"Nagreklamo si Senator Marcoleta ng chest pain at mataas [blood pressure] niya, that's why dinala muna namin sa ospital," Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) director PMGEN Robert Morico II told reporters in an ambush interview. He said the senator was immediately brought to the PNP General Hospital for medical evaluation.
Morico said PNP doctors are assessing Marcoleta's condition before authorities proceed with the next stage of the booking process. He added that the medical findings will be submitted to the Sandiganbayan.
“After his medical assessment, whatever the PNP doctors say, we will also relay it to the Sandiganbayan,” Morico said.
Earlier, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Marcoleta's medical examination is expected to take about two days as part of the standard booking process. The tests will determine whether the senator is fit to be transferred to a detention facility.
Remulla said doctors recommended that Marcoleta undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) and other diagnostic procedures before he is committed to jail. He said the government wants to ensure the 72-year-old senator is medically fit while under state custody.
Morico said Marcoleta's blood pressure was "150 something," although he did not disclose the exact reading. He also said the Sandiganbayan has yet to issue a commitment order for the senator.
The Sandiganbayan Third Division issued an arrest warrant against Marcoleta in connection with a plunder case involving the alleged nondisclosure of P75 million in campaign contributions. Former congressman Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu were also arrested after warrants were issued against them in the same case.
Aside from plunder, the Office of the Ombudsman also charged Marcoleta and his co-accused with indirect bribery and violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, which prohibits public officials from receiving gifts by reason of their office.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also released the mugshots of Marcoleta, Defensor, and Espiritu on Monday following their arrest and processing by authorities in connection with the plunder case.
— The Summit Express
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