By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Sandiganbayan has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately account for the custody and health status of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, directing police officials to submit separate reports within 24 hours as the embattled lawmaker remains under medical observation.
In a resolution issued Wednesday, the anti-graft court’s Third Division instructed CIDG Director Col. John Guiagui and officials of the PNP General Hospital to file detailed reports on Marcoleta’s booking procedures, custodial status, detention arrangements, and current medical condition.
The court imposed a non-extendible 24-hour deadline for compliance upon receipt of the order.
Marcoleta is facing a non-bailable plunder charge filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, which accuses him of failing to disclose P75 million in campaign contributions while serving as a party-list representative, allegedly violating government financial disclosure and election reporting requirements.
Earlier in the day, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Allen Rae Co, citing the PNP Health Service, said Marcoleta remains unfit for travel after suffering chest pains and elevated blood pressure. He is expected to remain under medical observation until physicians determine he is fit to appear before the court.
The Sandiganbayan said Marcoleta will be brought before the Third Division once he is medically cleared.
The court likewise clarified that no commitment order has yet been issued transferring the senator to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, contradicting an earlier statement released by police authorities regarding his detention.
Also charged with plunder are former Representative Mike Defensor and businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, all of whom are already in detention after authorities served the corresponding warrants of arrest.
The arraignment and pretrial proceedings, initially scheduled for July 10, have been deferred pending the resolution of motions filed before the Sandiganbayan.
The case marks one of the most closely watched corruption proceedings before the anti-graft court, with prosecutors seeking to establish that the alleged undeclared campaign funds constitute ill-gotten wealth under the country’s anti-plunder law.
ia/xf
