Sandiganbayan grants medical furlough to Marcoleta

The Sandiganbayan Third Division has granted Senator Rodante Marcoleta's request for a medical furlough.

Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson Karl Miranda said a one-day furlough was given to Marcoleta who was diagnosed with the following ailments:

• Prostate enlargement
• Hypertension and
• Dyslipidemia

Marcoleta is currently facing a P75 million plunder charge over undeclared donations.

Sandiganbayan said the medical furlough is set on September 7 for Marcoleta's medical exam in Medical City in Pasig City.

Government prosecutors previously opposed Marcoleta's motion for medical furlough saying the diagnosis was based on the examination of his personal doctor, not the doctors of the New Quezon City jail in Payatas where Marcoleta is detained.

Marcoleta is facing a non-bailable offense of plunder, meaning Marcoleta has to file a petition for bail first and secure the court's approval of a bail petition before he can be temporarily released from detention.

Also on Thursday, the anti-graft court started hearing Marcoleta's motion for bail.

The first witness fielded by the prosecution was Atty. Atty. Victoria Kadeja Besinio of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department. —VAL, GMA News