Sandiganbayan to hold hearing on Senator Marcoleta’s health, custody status

The Sandiganbayan Third Division will hold a hearing on Friday to receive updates on the health condition and custody status of Senator Rodante Marcoleta.

Marcoleta is facing a plunder case before the anti-graft court over a P75-million campaign donation he allegedly received while serving as a party-list lawmaker, which state prosecutors said was not disclosed in his statement of assets and campaign finance reports.

Third Division Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma said the court has directed officials from the Philippine National Police Health Service and the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas to attend the hearing.

According to Pulma, the officials were ordered to comply with the court's directive issued Wednesday requiring reports on Marcoleta’s custody, booking process, detention, and current medical condition.

Pulma said neither Marcoleta nor his co-accused are required to appear during the proceedings.

On Wednesday, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Allen Rae Co, citing the PNP Health Service, said Marcoleta “is not yet fit for travel” after suffering chest pains and elevated blood pressure.

Although police returned the warrant of arrest against the senator on Monday, the Sandiganbayan has yet to issue a commitment order committing him to detention.

Also charged with plunder are former Rep. Mike Defensor and businessmen Aristotle Viray and Joseph Espiritu, who allegedly served as Marcoleta’s donors.

Authorities have already served the arrest warrants on Defensor, Viray, and Espiritu, who are currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.

The arraignment and pretrial of Marcoleta and his co-accused had been set for July 10 but were postponed due to pending motions filed before the court.

-Paraluman News