Senator Rodante Marcoleta (PNA file photo by Yancy Lim)
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta remained under observation at the Philippine National Police General Hospital on Wednesday, July 8, as authorities awaited medical test results needed before he could be transferred to jail.
Marcoleta, who was arrested Monday over plunder charges involving Php 75 million in allegedly undeclared campaign funds, experienced chest pains and elevated blood pressure during his arrest.
The PNP Health Service reported that he was conscious, responsive, and not in cardiorespiratory distress as of Wednesday.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said Marcoleta’s transfer to the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas was unlikely to proceed on Wednesday because he had not yet been declared fit to travel.
Co said the Health Service had informed him that Marcoleta remained medically unfit for transport, making his immediate transfer improbable.
PNP Health Service Chief of Internal Medicine Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani said Marcoleta was clinically stable and not in critical condition, but his blood pressure continued to fluctuate and required further monitoring.
Bayani said results from Marcoleta’s two-dimensional echocardiography and blood chemistry tests were expected either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, July 9.
Co said authorities were only waiting for medical clearance before proceeding with the commitment process, adding that Marcoleta’s arrest warrant had already been returned to the Sandiganbayan and that a commitment order was issued on Monday, July 6.