(July 06 2026) Authorities arrested Senator Rodante Marcoleta at Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Monday July 6 2026, after his motion for reconsideration of the arrest warrant in the plunder case filed by the ombudsman was denied. Photo/Analy Labor
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The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Friday said it will impose stricter visitation rules for Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after the Sandiganbayan questioned why Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla were allowed to visit the detained lawmaker despite being under isolation for mild pneumonia.
CIDG National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui said the visits were allowed at the request of Marcoleta and his family.
"Yun yung request mismo ni Sen. Marcoleta and his family. And then of course, yung legal team niya, kailangan nila mag-usap, kailangan nila puntahan para sa legal remedies nila," Guiagui said.
He stressed that only two visitors had been permitted despite numerous requests from relatives, friends, and supporters.
"Andaming gustong pumasok pero dalawa lang ang napayagan. Friends, relatives, supporters niya but again, on the part of CIDG, we see to it na may restriction sa visitation niya at limited time lang," he said.
Following the Sandiganbayan's concerns, Guiagui said access to the senator would be further restricted, with priority given only to his immediate family and legal team because of his medical condition.
"Nire-restrict nga natin kasi may pneumonia. Mababa na 'yung immune system niya kaya nililimitahan natin 'yung visitors niya. At the same time, 'yung tagal ng pagbisita doon sa kuwarto niya, so as not to endanger or mapalala pa 'yung kanyang kondisyon," Guiagui said.
"Mas hihigpitan pa natin 'yung mga visitors niya. Mas hihigpitan pa natin kung sino lang 'yung pwedeng pumasok sa kanyang kuwarto," he added.
Guiagui also denied that Marcoleta was receiving preferential treatment.
"Wala naman po tayong favoritism. Again it is restricted, given his medical condition. At very limited na bisita lang po," he said.
He added that the CIDG is prepared to transfer Marcoleta once doctors declare him fit for travel. While 15 July had earlier been identified as a possible transfer date, Guiagui said this remains subject to the senator's medical condition.
Earlier on Friday, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ronald Moreno questioned officials of the PNP Health Service General Hospital over why Duterte and Padilla were allowed to visit Marcoleta despite doctors reporting that he should remain in isolation because of mild pneumonia.
Duterte visited Marcoleta at the PNP General Hospital on Tuesday, a day after his arrest on plunder charges. Padilla visited him on Thursday.
The Sandiganbayan has yet to issue a commitment order because Marcoleta has not appeared before the court following his booking. The court earlier said he would be transferred to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas, where his co-accused are being held, once he is medically cleared.
Marcoleta remains confined at the PNP General Hospital after being diagnosed with mild pneumonia. Doctors are also monitoring his fluctuating blood pressure, which they said has made him unfit for travel.
