The Sandiganbayan grilled officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Health Service General Hospital on Friday for allowing high-profile personalities, including Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Robin Padilla, to visit Senator Rodante Marcoleta despite his strict medical isolation for mild pneumonia.
During the hearing, Associate Justice Ronald Moreno demanded an explanation for the security and health breaches, pointing out that the senator was supposed to be completely isolated.
“Why are you allowing him to be visited? Who allowed him to be visited when according to your recommendation he should be in isolation?” Justice Moreno asked.
Lt. Col. Benaly Bayani, the chief of the hospital’s Internal Medicine Department, could not offer an explanation, replying,
“Di ko po masagot.”
Marcoleta is currently deemed unfit to travel as he undergoes monitoring for fluctuating blood pressure and pneumonia. Hospital director Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad admitted that standard safety measures were ignored, noting that the Vice President was reportedly unmasked during her visit.
When questioned on the matter, Manalad stated,
“I believe, wala.”
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Manalad acknowledged the oversight and promised corrective action.
“We apologize that there are some lapses na nakita and we will comply with the requirement of the Sandiganbayan,” Manalad told reporters.
She further explained that while her department oversees medical protocols, visitor entry and custody fall under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
“I don’t know with the security kasi it’s with the CIDG. I’m just saying about the lapses that we forgot to say na kailangan naka-mask sila because of the condition of the senator. ‘Yun lang ang hiningi ko ng apology kasi ‘yun lang ang covered ko. Pero about the arresting, kung ano nangyari, sino papayagan, it will be for the CIDG to decide,” Manalad added.
Following the court’s reprimand, Bayani pledged that hospital authorities would coordinate closely with the CIDG to enforce stricter visitor regulations moving forward.