Marcoleta remains hospitalized as doctors deem him unfit to travel
The arrested Sen. Rodante Marcoleta remained confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital on Wednesday as police doctors said he is still unfit to travel due to high blood pressure, mild pneumonia and a spinal condition.
PNP General Hospital chief of Internal Medicine Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani said Marcoleta, 72, continues to undergo medical tests and rehabilitation after being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and mild pneumonia.
"Right now, Sen. Marcoleta is okay, but his BP is higher today compared to yesterday at 160/90," Bayani told reporters.
She said the senator's chest and back pain had eased, but doctors remain concerned about his blood pressure, which she described as Stage 2 hypertension.
Marcoleta is also undergoing blood chemistry, a 2D echocardiogram, and chest and cervical spine X-rays. Bayani said the X-rays have shown findings, while the 2D echo is still pending.
Asked if Marcoleta was fit to travel, Bayani replied, "Not at the moment."
She added that it remains unclear when the senator developed pneumonia but said it was likely present before his admission to the hospital.
Aside from maintenance medications, Marcoleta is also being treated for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. confirmed that the warrant of arrest against Marcoleta was returned to the Sandiganbayan on Monday after authorities informed the court that the senator was already under police custody.
"Nandito siya sa PNP General Hospital. We have already returned the warrant of arrest with the information that he is under police custody," Nartatez said.
PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the court has already issued a commitment order, but Marcoleta remains under medical observation and is still not fit for transfer.
Once cleared by doctors, Marcoleta is expected to be transferred to the New Quezon City Jail, where his co-accused in the plunder case, including Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., are detained.