Sen. Ping Lacson described as a “miracle” the condition of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta after the latter was seen walking out of the University of the Philippines–Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), despite having earlier entered the hospital in a wheelchair.
Lacson made the remark after Marcoleta underwent a medical examination at UP-PGH, where doctors evaluated his health condition and submitted their findings to the Sandiganbayan.
The senator also commended UP-PGH for what he described as the professionalism and integrity shown by its medical personnel in conducting the examination and preparing the medical report for the anti-graft court.
Following the submission of the report, the Sandiganbayan ordered Marcoleta’s transfer from the Philippine National Police General Hospital to the Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas after determining that he no longer had a medical condition requiring continued hospitalization.
Marcoleta was arrested on July 6 in connection with plunder and graft charges involving an alleged P75 million donation that prosecutors claim he received while serving as a congressman but did not declare.
Separately, Lacson said he intends to raise questions during the 2027 budget deliberations involving the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
According to Lacson, he plans to ask who should shoulder the costs of hospital stays for Marcoleta and former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan at the PNP General Hospital.
Lacson said the hospital is primarily intended to serve PNP personnel and their qualified dependents. His remarks came after Marcoleta’s transfer to a regular detention facility following the court’s finding that continued confinement in a hospital was no longer medically necessary.
