Lacson slams 'recurring pattern' of hospitalization in high-profile arrests

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Saturday slammed what he describes as a "recurring pattern" of hospitalizations of prominent personalities who are cited in contempt or face arrest due to criminal cases.

“Since time immemorial, when a prominent personality is cited in contempt or faces arrest, he/she suddenly gets sick and needs to be hospitalized,” Lacson said in a radio interview.

“When the arrest warrant comes out, so does the medical condition – you name it – pneumonia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels. Some require neck braces, others have back pains. The diseases come out when the arrest warrant comes out,” he added.

“This is the pattern that many ordinary Filipinos have brought to my attention, hence my recent post on X last July 8,” he added.

Confinement

Lacson said this was again the case with former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who are both facing plunder and graft charges.

“Bonoan was arrested and was confined in the hospital. Before that, we have seen big personalities who are confined in the hospital instead of being brought to jail. This is the pattern I have noticed,” he added.

Bonoan surrendered to authorities on June 1 and was brought to the hospital after suffering hypertension. He is facing P573-million graft and plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan. The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has allowed him to be confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame.

According to Bonoan's personal physicians, Bonoan has multiple ailments, including chronic kidney disease and severe coronary artery disease.

Marcoleta, meanwhile, was arrested over his P75-M plunder case on July 6 after his motion to quash was denied by the graft court.

He was brought to the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP-GH) after experiencing chest pains and high blood pressure. '

GMA News Online has reached Marcoleta and Bonoan for comments, but they have yet to reply as of posting time.

Expenses

Lacson also raised concerns about the expenses for the stay of Bonoan and Marcoleta at the PNP-GH.

“One issue is that the PNP-GH has its own budget, funded by taxpayers. Those authorized to be confined there are PNP members or their dependents. But who shoulders the costs for the stay and medication of Bonoan and Marcoleta? As far as I know, neither of them is a PNP dependent,” Lacson said.

Lacson alleged that there were PNP members and eligible dependents who were denied admission at the PNP-GH.

“There are PNP members who are denied admission at the PNP-GH. There are also times when its facilities admit those who are not PNP members or dependents. Who pays for their stay?” the senator said.

Lacson said he plans to raise this issue during the budget deliberations for the proposed 2027 budget of the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In the anticipated deliberation, Lacson said that he intends to clarify who is authorized to be confined in the hospital as well as who should bear the expenses for non-dependent patients. —VAL, GMA News