The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) announced that the newly built Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory in Payatas is fully prepared to accommodate Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who is currently under police custody for plunder charges.
The lawmaker is presently staying at the Philippine National Police General Hospital for medical care. However, the Sandiganbayan Third Division has directed the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital to conduct an autonomous medical checkup to see if his ongoing confinement is truly required, following allegations that he has been accommodating visitors despite strict isolation protocols.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera made it clear that the Payatas detention center focuses on humane treatment rather than executive privileges. Explaining the setup of the cells, he detailed:
“Maluwag ang disenyo noon (Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory). Iisa lang naman ang selda na yan. Ganoon na sa lahat. Ito ay nasa 50 square meters. May dalawang banyo na shared para sa 10 (PDLs). May dalawang bentilador, may limang double-deck (beds). Share share sila.’’
The jail facility currently holds 3,300 inmates, well within its total capacity of 4,000. Bustinera mentioned that while high-risk or vulnerable detainees like Marcoleta will be stationed close to the medical ward for easier health monitoring, prominent figures will not receive any special favors.
“Makikita natin ang design ng BJMP (jail), hindi yan VIP (very important person) treatment kundi para sa makataong pamamahala ng piitan,’’ Bustinera added, noting that the compound has its own medical staff and diagnostic laboratory to address the health needs of the population.