Marcoleta to remain at PNP General Hospital under CIDG custody

Arrested Sen. Rodante Marcoleta will remain under the custody of the Philippine National Police and confined at the PNP General Hospital while undergoing medical treatment, following a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan.

In a statement on Thursday, the PNP said the anti-graft court ordered that Marcoleta remain under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group pending trial and until further orders from the court.

"The PNP confirms that a Commitment Order was issued by the Sandiganbayan placing Senator Marcoleta under the custody of the PNP CIDG pending trial and until further orders from the court," the PNP said.

The CIDG served the arrest warrant against Marcoleta on 6 July after the Sandiganbayan Third Division issued a warrant in connection with a non-bailable plunder case.

PNP spokesperson Allen Rae Co said Marcoleta remains under medical evaluation at the PNP General Hospital and that no commitment order has been issued transferring him to a detention facility.

"As of this date, Sen. Marcoleta is still undergoing medical evaluation and treatment at the PNPGH, and there is no other Commitment Order for him to be placed in a detention facility," Co said.

He added that the Sandiganbayan, in a resolution dated 8 July 2026, directed the hospital to submit within 24 hours a report on Marcoleta's custody status and latest medical condition.

PNP General Hospital Internal Medicine chief Benaly Bayani said Marcoleta has been diagnosed with dyslipidemia, or elevated cholesterol, in addition to mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease.

"We are still waiting for the official result of the 2D Echo. We already have the laboratories and the only findings we have is dyslipidemia, which is cholesterol. It's only elevated, and it can block the veins," Bayani said.

She added that Marcoleta's stay at the hospital will depend on the results of his remaining medical tests, the recommendation of rehabilitation specialists, his fluctuating blood pressure, and other health concerns considering his age of 72.

Bayani said the Sandiganbayan will determine Marcoleta's next custody arrangement after receiving the hospital's comprehensive medical evaluation. She added that the hospital had already submitted an initial medical report to the court.

Meanwhile, CIDG-NCR chief John Guiagui confirmed that the arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan against Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor for violating Presidential Decree No. 46 had already been served.

The Sandiganbayan set bail at P30,000 each for the Presidential Decree No. 46 case, which prohibits government officials from receiving, and private individuals from giving, gifts on any occasion.

However, Marcoleta and Defensor will remain in custody because of the separate non-bailable plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.