MANILA – Senator Rodante Marcoleta was transferred to the Quezon City Jail-Male Dormitory on Wednesday following an order issued by the Sandiganbayan, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said.

In a statement, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said Marcoleta was committed to the Quezon City Jail at 10:49 a.m. pursuant to a commitment order issued by the Sandiganbayan Third Division.

Marcoleta is facing a non-bailable plunder case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The BJMP assures that no special treatment will be given to any PDL (person deprived of liberty) under the Bureau’s custody,” Bustinera said.

The DILG also said the BJMP would continue to carry out its mandate with professionalism, impartiality and strict compliance with established rules and procedures.

Before his transfer, Marcoleta had been confined at the Philippine National Police-General Hospital (PNPGH), where he was diagnosed with mild pneumonia, elevated cholesterol and elevated blood pressure, which had since been brought under control.

On Tuesday, he underwent an independent medical examination at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) upon the Sandiganbayan’s order.

During Wednesday’s court hearing, PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi told the anti-graft court that the senator no longer needed hospitalization.

Marcoleta had been under the custody of the Philippine National Police after his arrest in connection with a non-bailable plunder case involving alleged undeclared campaign donations.

On July 6, he voluntarily appeared before the Sandiganbayan to file a motion to quash the plunder and indirect bribery charges against him and his co-accused, former congressman Mike Defensor and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.PNA