Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson took a jab at Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Thursday, mocking his swift recuperation after Marcoleta was seen walking out of the Sandiganbayan despite arriving at the anti-graft court in a wheelchair.
Although Lacson initially avoided naming the lawmaker directly, a subsequent press release from his office confirmed that his remarks were aimed at Marcoleta.
The latter had appeared in court on Wednesday and was subsequently ordered to be moved to a detention facility after receiving medical clearance.
“It’s a MIRACLE! Naka-wheelchair pumasok, brisk walk lumabas,” Lacson quipped in a social media post.
Lacson also praised the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) for delivering an unbiased medical assessment to the court.
“Kudos to UP-PGH for putting professionalism and integrity above all other considerations in submitting their medical report to the Sandiganbayan,” Lacson said.
The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division ordered Marcoleta’s transfer to the New Quezon City Jail. The directive followed independent medical evaluations from both UP-PGH and the Philippine National Police General Hospital, which concluded that he had recovered from mild pneumonia and was fit to travel and stand trial.
Prior to the order, Marcoleta had been confined at the PNP General Hospital following his arrest on a non-bailable plunder charge.
He stands accused of failing to declare ₱75 million in campaign contributions, which he admitted to receiving during his 2025 senatorial bid.