Marcoleta diagnosed with mild pneumonia but is 'clinically stable': PNPGH
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has been diagnosed with mild pneumonia, according to the Philippine National Police General Hospital.
On his third day being confined at the PNPGH after his arrest for plunder on July 6, doctors have detected the condition from his chest x-ray.
"Sa ngayon po, may pneumonia si Senator Marcoleta by chest x-ray," P/LtCol Benaly Bayani, chief of the Internal Medicine Department of the PNPGH told media on Wednesday. She added the pneumonia is "not concerning."
She also reported the senator to have a fluctuating blood pressure at 160/90, which is higher compared to yesterday's results.
Additionally, a cervical spine x-ray found Marcoleta is suffering from degenerative disc disease, per PNPGH.
As of writing, doctors are waiting for results from the senator's 2D Echo.
According to the Philippine Society of Echocardiography, a 2D Echo is a non-invasive chest ultrasound done on patients to check if they are suffering from hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart dysfunction, valve problems, or inborn heart defects.
"Siyempre, hypertensive si Senator Marcoleta; expected na po na cardiomegaly 'yung makikita natin by x-ray," Bayani continued. Per an article published in the National Library of Medicine, cardiomegaly means an enlargement of the heart.
"Sa edad po niya atsaka du'n sa fluctuating blood pressure niya, hindi maganda para sa kanya," Bayani said.
In general, Bayani said Marcoleta's condition is not worrisome.
"Tulad po ng sinabi ko kahapon, clinically stable, wala pong critical condition si Senator Marcoleta. 'Yun lang po, dahil sa BP po niya, kailangan nating i-monitor...sa ngayon kasi fluctuating po talaga," Bayani said, adding Marcoleta is not yet fit to travel.
The senator was arrested on July 6 following his surrender after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against him for non-bailable plunder charges connected to his undeclared P75 million in campaign donations.
On July 8, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. told the media that Marcoleta's arrest warrant has been returned to the Sandiganbayan, confirming the senator is under police custody. Once Marcoleta is deemed by doctors to be fit to travel, and with the commitment order in place, he will be transported to the New Quezon City Jail in Barangay Payatas.
