Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday commended the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital for submitting what he described as an objective medical assessment of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to the Sandiganbayan.
The anti-graft court had ordered Marcoleta to undergo a separate medical examination at UP-PGH to determine whether he still required hospital confinement following his arrest on plunder and graft charges on July 6.
The Philippine National Police General Hospital earlier said Marcoleta had been diagnosed with mild pneumonia and other ailments. During his confinement, he reportedly received visitors, including Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla.
UP-PGH’s findings showed that Marcoleta had no medical condition warranting further hospitalization, prompting the Sandiganbayan to order his commitment to the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
“It’s a MIRACLE! Naka wheelchair pumasok, brisk walk lumabas (He entered in a wheelchair, brisk walked in exiting). Kudos to UP-PGH for putting professionalism and integrity above all other considerations in submitting their medical report to the Sandiganbayan,” Lacson said in a post on X.
Lacson noted that Marcoleta was seen walking as he left the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday.
The senator had previously criticized what he described as a recurring pattern in which prominent individuals cited in contempt by the Senate or facing arrest in criminal cases are hospitalized.
He cited the cases of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Marcoleta, who are both facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan and were confined at the PNP General Hospital.
Lacson also questioned who would shoulder their hospital expenses, noting that the facility is primarily intended for police personnel and their dependents, some of whom have reportedly been denied admission despite being entitled to its services.
He said he would raise the issue during the budget deliberations.