By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A Philippine National Police (PNP) physician informed the Sandiganbayan on Friday that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is now medically fit to travel after being hospitalized earlier this week following his arrest on plunder charges.
The update was presented during a hearing before the Sandiganbayan Third Division, which is handling the senator’s plunder case.
Marcoleta was admitted to the PNP General Hospital on Monday after complaining of chest pains and hypertension shortly after the anti-graft court issued a warrant for his arrest.
During Friday’s proceedings, Associate Justice Karl Miranda asked Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, chief of the Internal Medicine Department at the PNP General Hospital, to assess the senator’s condition.
Bayani told the court that Marcoleta’s health has improved and that he is now medically fit to travel.
The Sandiganbayan issued the arrest warrant after the Office of the Ombudsman filed a non-bailable plunder case against the senator in connection with the alleged misuse of P75 million in campaign contributions.
The court has yet to issue further orders on Marcoleta’s detention following the medical update.
ia/xf
