MARCOLETA SURRENDERS AFTER SANDIGANBAYAN ISSUES ARREST WARRANT OVER PLUNDER CASE

SENATOR Rodante Marcoleta on Monday surrendered to the authorities after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for his arrest in connection  with the plunder case filed against him and three others by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Marcoleta voluntarily surrendered to the operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The court issued the arrest warrant after it found probable cause to try Marcoleta, former lawmaker Mike Defensor,  and businessmen Joseph Espiritu and Aristotle Viray.

Marcoleta and his co-accused will be committed to the Quezon City Jail in Payatas.

The case was in connection with a P75 million election donation that Marcoleta allegedly accepted from Defensor and the two businessmen,

However, Marcoleta argued that the donation was accepted before the official campaign period began.

The Office of the Ombudsman recommended the filing of a plunder case (a non-bailable offense) because the total amount exceeded the P50 million threshold required under Republic Act No. 7080.

MARCOLETA TAKEN TO PNP HOSPITAL FOR CHEST PAIN, HYPERTENSION

Marcoleta was brought to the Philippine National Police (PNP) hospital after allegedly experiencing chest pains following his arrest.

“Nagreklamo si Senator Marcoleta ng chest pain at mataas blood pressure niya, that’s why dinala muna namin sa ospital,” CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II told reporters in an ambush interview.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said if Marcoleta is not be fit enough for trial and to stay at Payatas City Jail, the senator might be confined at Camp Crame General Hospital.