No need for further hospitalization for Marcoleta - PGH director

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Wednesday said there was no need for further hospitalization for Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.

PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi told the Sandiganbayan Third Division that their team, which conducted the medical examination on Marcoleta, "unanimously agreed there is no finding or medical condition to require further hospitalization."

In an interview after the hearing, Legaspi said Marcoleta just needs to be isolated for one more week.

"Nag-agree ang team of doctors from the Department of Medicine na ang mga findings na nakita nung July 6 sa PNP General Hospital nag-improve na, from 'yung X-ray, nag-clear up na 'yung pneumonia, 'yung kanyang hypertension controlled na. That's why based on those information, we concluded that he is fit to...doesn't need further confinement in a hospital and Senator Marcoleta is fit to attend all proceedings," he said.

"Kailangan lang (ng isolation) kasi elderly e. Ang isolation niya siguro one more week pagka talagang nakabawi na siya sa effects ng pneumonia niya," he added.

To recall, the Sandiganbayan previously ordered the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to bring him to PGH.

Marcoleta is in detention for a P75-million plunder case over his undeclared campaign donations. Two days after his arrest, the PNPGH diagnosed Marcoleta with mild pneumonia and degenerative disc disease.

In view of the findings of the UP PGH and PNP General Hospital, the Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered that Marcoleta be transferred to the Quezon City Jail.

Marcoleta was brought to the detention facility in Payatas after the hearing.

In a statement, the DILG, through the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), confirmed the commitment of Marcoleta to the Quezon City Jail–Male Dormitory at 10:49 a.m. on July 15, 2026.

The DILG also assured the public that there will be no special treatment for Marcoleta.

Marcoleta, former Anakalusugan Party-List representative Mike Defensor, and others earlier arrived at the Sandiganbayan for their arraignment.

Defensor and businessmen Joseph Varias Espiritu and Aristotle Baluyut Viray have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Marcoleta, on the other hand, has yet to be arraigned as the court still has to decide on his motion to quash.

According to Allan Gatus’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, authorities are strictly implementing tight security.

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗔, 𝗗𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗔𝗡𝗕𝗔𝗬𝗔𝗡

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at ex-Cong. Mike Defensor, humaharap na sa pagdinig ng Sandiganbayan. | via @allangatus pic.twitter.com/opm8XJwgIL

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) July 15, 2026

Meanwhile, Edna Marcoleta, the senator’s wife, was also present.—AOL, GMA News