PNP ordered to provide update on Marcoleta's health status within 24 hours

The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Wednesday ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) officials to provide updates on the custody and health status of Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing a P75-million plunder charge and other related charges over undeclared campaign donations, within 24 hours.

The anti-graft court particularly issued the order to the Director of the PNP General Hospital where Marcoleta is currently confined due to multiple ailments, as well as to Police Colonel John Guiagui, Regional Chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit.

Marcoleta, who surrendered on July 6 and was taken into custody, has been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and mild pneumonia.

Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda earlier said that the issuance of the warrant of arrest against Marcoleta and his co-accused “signifies only that after evaluating the records, the court found probable cause to believe that the accused committed the offense charge.”

“Probable cause for the issuance of a warrant of arrest exists when the facts and circumstances would lead a reasonably discreet and prudent person to believe that an offense has been committed by the person sought to be arrested,” Miranda told reporters.

“The court has no politics. No politics. This is a court of law guided only by the Constitution, the law applicable and the evidence to be presented by the parties,” Miranda added.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed the charges against Marcoleta on Friday, July 3.

“The moment gratitude is used to explain away P75 million in undisclosed money, it stops being 'utang na loob' and becomes exactly what our plunder and bribery laws were written to prevent," the Ombudsman said. — BM, GMA News