EDITORIAL -- A recurring pattern

How often do you see an inmate who must be confined in a hospital because he has to finish taking antibiotics?

The Philippine National Police is setting a precedent in VIP treatment for a person in its custody, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who has been confined at the PNP General Hospital since his arrest for the non-bailable offense of plunder on July 6.

Yesterday, the chief of internal medicine at the PNPGH, Lt. Col. Benalyn Bayani, reiterated that Marcoleta was already “fit to travel” – presumably meaning his health condition is stable enough to allow his transfer to the New Quezon City Jail. But Bayani said Marcoleta must remain hospitalized until July 15 because he has to complete his course of antibiotics for mild pneumonia.

Last week, the PNPGH drew flak for allowing Marcoleta to be visited by his allies, Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robinhood Padilla.

Marcoleta had to be placed in isolation in a hospital because he supposedly had an infectious illness and could spread germs in jail.

Brig. Gen. Portia Manalad, the PNP Health Service director, admitted that the VIP visits to Marcoleta constituted “a lapse on our part.”

Last week, Sandiganbayan justices skeptical of the PNP’s medical assessment ordered the director of the Philippine General Hospital, Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, to conduct an independent medical examination of Marcoleta and determine if his continued “hospital arrest” is necessary.

On the same day, Bayani said Marcoleta was “fit to travel” and could appear before the anti-graft court, but recommended that the senator be allowed to finish first his seven-day course of antibiotics.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson slammed the “recurring pattern” of personalities suddenly getting sick and being placed under “hospital arrest” – citing Marcoleta and former public works chief Manuel Bonoan.

Like Marcoleta, Bonoan faces trial for plunder before the Sandiganbayan. Until a few months ago, Bonoan was healthy enough to accompany his wife to the United States ostensibly while she underwent a medical procedure. He returned to Manila on Jan. 18.

Once he was ordered arrested for plunder, however, he suddenly needed to move around in a wheelchair, and his camp trotted out a long list of his afflictions that supposedly required hospitalization.

Lacson, a former PNP chief, noted that common afflictions such as hypertension, high cholesterol and pneumonia seemed to emerge as soon as prominent personalities face arrest. He also asked who was footing the bill for the confinement of the VIPs in the PNPGH.

Progressive groups have lamented that their members would never receive such privileged treatment if placed under arrest. The PNP – and the government – must review its policies on special privileges for inmates.