PNP says Marcoleta fit to be presented in court

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta is ready to appear before the Sandiganbayan for his plunder case hearing on July 15, according to the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

“He’s okay,” CIDG National Capital Region chief Col. John Guiagui told reporters on Tuesday afternoon outside the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame where Marcoleta has been confined since his arrest on July 6.

“He’s ready for tomorrow,” Guiagui said. “So far, so good and we’re just waiting for his written evaluation but based on our conversation earlier, he is fit to be presented before the Sandiganbayan by 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.”

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READ: Sandiganbayan to PNP: Bring Marcoleta to PGH for exam, then to court

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Guiagui, however, said it was up to the Sandiganbayan to determine whether Marcoleta is fit to be committed to a jail facility.

“However things run tomorrow, if he is given a commitment order, the CIDG will be ready,” he added.

Ready for anything

Earlier in the day, Marcoleta underwent medical tests at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in Manila.

READ: PNP stands by Marcoleta medical findings amid separate PGH exam

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The senator, who was escorted by the police to and from UP-PGH, was dressed in an orange detainee shirt under a protective vest and jacket. He was handcuffed and in a wheelchair.

Marcoleta returned to the PNP hospital around 1:30 p.m. Guiagui said he underwent a 2D scan, an x-ray, a blood test, a respiratory test and a physical examination.

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The tests were conducted a day after the Third Division ordered the PNP to bring Marcoleta to UP-PGH to determine if his continued confinement was necessary. /cb

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