Rodante Marcoleta has mild pneumonia, degenerative disc disease — PNP General Hospital

Senator Rodante Marcoleta was diagnosed with mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease, the PNP General Hospital said Wednesday.

"'Yung findings niya sa ngayon po may pneumonia po si Senator Marcoleta via chest X-ray. Siyempre, hypertensive si Senator Marcoleta," said Lieutenant Colonel Benaly Bayani, chief of the Internal Medicine Department of the PNPGH.

(The findings so far show that, based on chest X-ray, Senator Marcoleta has pneumonia. Of course, he is hypertensive.)

Due to spinal problems, the 72-year-old senator needs to undergo rehabilitation and therapy.

However, the mild pneumonia was not considered to be worrisome, but could have developed before he was arrested.

According to the Mayo Clinic, degenerative disk disease is a common cause of back pain as spinal disks wear out with age and use.

His blood pressure also was recorded at 160/90, which is considered high for his age, Bayani said.

"Sa edad po niya, at saka fluctuating blood pressure niya, hindi maganda para sa kaniya," Bayani added.

(Based on his age, and with his fluctuating blood pressure, it is not good for him.)

According to a Balitanghali report by Jun Veneracion, it remains unclear when Marcoleta will be discharged from the hospital and brought before the Sandiganbayan or to the detention cell designated by the court.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez denied they are providing "special treatment" with Marcoleta, as the senator remained to be detained while in hospital.

The PNP clarified that they accomplished the return of the warrant of Marcoleta to the Sandiganbayan last Monday.

As of Wednesday morning, the Sandiganbayan Third Division said it was still waiting for an update from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regarding Marcoleta's status.

Lawyer Dennis Pulma, clerk of court of the Sandiganbayan Third Division, said the court has yet to receive information on when Marcoleta will be brought to the Sandiganbayan for the return of the warrant and commitment order.

It was not immediately clear how the PNP and the Sandiganbayan were coordinating regarding the return of warrant. — VDV, GMA News