MANILA — The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday ordered the detention of Philippine Senator Rodante Marcoleta at the Quezon City Jail after an independent medical evaluation found no imperative need for his continued confinement at the Philippine National Police General Hospital while he faces a non-bailable plunder charge, according to court proceedings and officials.
The anti-graft court's Third Division directed that Marcoleta be transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas after he appeared before the court following medical examinations at both the PNP General Hospital and the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). The court had earlier ordered the independent assessment to determine whether his hospitalization should continue.
Marcoleta had been under medical care after experiencing chest pain and elevated blood pressure following his arrest on July 6, when the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant after finding probable cause in a plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman. The charge is not bailable under Philippine law.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) confirmed that Marcoleta was received into the custody of the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory on Wednesday morning pursuant to the court's commitment order. BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Bustinera said the bureau would not provide the senator with special treatment while he remained in detention.
The Ombudsman accused Marcoleta, former congressman Michael "Mike" Defensor, and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray of plunder in connection with an alleged 75 million peso campaign donation that prosecutors said was not properly disclosed in required filings. Prosecutors have alleged that the funds were omitted from Marcoleta's Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and other mandatory declarations. Marcoleta has denied wrongdoing and has challenged the charges through his legal team.
The Sandiganbayan issued arrest warrants and hold departure orders for Marcoleta and his co-accused on July 6 after determining there was probable cause to proceed with the case. The Department of Justice has said the handling of the criminal proceedings now rests with the anti-graft court.
The case will continue before the Sandiganbayan as the court hears the plunder charges against Marcoleta and his co-accused.
