Senator Rodante Marcoleta. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday stood by the medical assessment of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after the Sandiganbayan ordered him to undergo an independent examination at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the court’s directive was meant to address public concerns over Marcoleta’s condition and did not cast doubt on the findings of doctors at the PNP General Hospital.
Co said the police organization fully trusted its physicians, adding that they had no reason to compromise their professional integrity by issuing inaccurate medical evaluations.
Marcoleta was arrested on July 6 in connection with a non-bailable plunder case involving an alleged undeclared Php 75 million campaign donation during the 2025 elections.
He was admitted to the PNP General Hospital after complaining of chest pain and was later diagnosed with mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease.
On Tuesday, he was transferred to PGH to determine whether continued confinement at the police hospital remained medically necessary.
Co said the PNP was duty-bound to provide proper medical care to persons under its custody, noting that detainees requiring treatment were brought to appropriate health facilities.
He added that the PNP had yet to receive details on the medical procedures to be conducted at PGH or when Marcoleta would be returned to the police hospital.