Camille Naredo

Senator Panfilo Lacson during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte cross-examines the first witness presented by the House prosecution panel during the third day of the impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 8. The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumed its hearing on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which covers the alleged grave threats by the vice president against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, who reviewed the video cited by the prosecution in support of its allegations, returns to the witness stand to respond to questions from defense lawyers. The trial has been adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 13, when the House prosecution panel is expected to present its second witness, Atty. Jeremy Lontoc.
Wendell D. Alinea, Senate Social Media Unit

Article (news)

VP Sara Impeachment

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178374260739120260709-senate-impeachment-day3-WA-31.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><p>MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday questioned what he described as a recurring &quot;pattern&quot; of prominent personalities being hospitalized when they face arrest warrants or are cited in contempt, as he raised concerns over the use of the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNP-GH) by individuals who are not members of the police force or their dependents.</p><p>Lacson made the remarks amid the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, after he was asked about detained individuals and the recent hospitalization of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who is facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/marcoleta-arrest-plunder-1023">Marcoleta arrested for non-bailable plunder case</a></div><p>&quot;Since time immemorial, ganyan ang nangyayari. Kapag mayroon kaming kino-contempt sa Senado, ang bagsak lagi ay sa ospital. Kapag may naaresto, ang bagsak lagi ay sa ospital. Naglalabasan &#x27;yong mga sakit once lumabas &#x27;yong warrant,&quot; Lacson said in an interview with DZMM. </p><p>&quot;Nagiging pattern,&quot; he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/8/marcoleta-to-stay-at-pnp-hospital-due-to-mild-pneumonia-hypertension-1246">Marcoleta has mild pneumonia, still unfit for transfer — PNP hospital</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/10/court-questions-vp-sara-padilla-s-visit-to-pneumonia-stricken-marcoleta-1018">Sandiganbayan questions VP Sara, Padilla&#x27;s visit to pneumonia-stricken Marcoleta</a></div><p>Lacson earlier <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/2074839365751353497__;!!M1IUUW00!OUpVQSfUBfMyhJ5kEaqwovTlkYiNf_ueRdRX5KWIXO6TQgMcimePT9hw19vRYu-hPmMq2chTg3h3PKlORLWPuNlA_w$">posted</a> on X on July 8: &quot;WARNING: Bawal magkasakit. Mahal ang gamot. Bawal magka-&#x27;warrant&#x27;. Baka magkasakit.&quot;</p><p>He said the observation was based on concerns raised by ordinary Filipinos, who questioned why some personalities facing legal action end up being confined in hospitals instead of being taken into custody.</p><p>The senator cited the recent hospital confinement of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Marcoleta, both of whom are facing cases before the anti-graft court.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>WHO SHOULDERS THE COSTS?</strong></div><p>He also raised questions on who shoulders the expenses for their stay at the PNP General Hospital, noting that the facility is primarily intended for members of the Philippine National Police and their qualified dependents.</p><p>&quot;One issue is that the PNP-GH has its own budget, funded by taxpayers. Those authorized to be confined there are PNP members or their dependents. But who shoulders the costs for the stay and medication of Bonoan and Marcoleta? As far as I know, neither of them are PNP dependents,&quot; Lacson said.</p><p>&quot;There are PNP members who are denied admission at the PNP-GH. There are also times when its facilities admit those who are not PNP members or dependents. Who pays for their stay?&quot; he added.</p><p>Lacson said he intends to raise the issue during the 2027 budget deliberations of the Philippine National Police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to clarify who is authorized to use the facility and who pays for medical expenses.</p><p>&quot;I intend to raise this when the budget deliberations for the PNP and DILG for 2027 starts. I will ask, who are authorized to be confined there and who shoulders the expenses for the PNP-GH when non-dependents are confined there?&quot; he said.</p><p>Lacson, a former PNP chief, also cited the case of former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, who was confined at the PNP-GH while facing charges related to the Napoles pork barrel scam in the 2010s.</p><p>He noted, however, that Enrile had previously served as defense secretary, when the Philippine National Police was still part of the defense establishment through the Philippine Constabulary.</p>

<p>Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday questioned what he described as a recurring pattern of prominent personalities being hospitalized when they face arrest warrants or are cited in contempt.</p>

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Saturday questioned what he described as a recurring pattern of prominent personalities being hospitalized when they face arrest warrants or are cited in contempt.

Lacson flags 'pattern' of hospital stays among personalities facing arrest, contempt charges

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Lacson flags 'pattern' of hospital stays among personalities facing arrest, contempt charges

Chalssea Kate Echegoyen,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 11, 2026 12:06 PM PHT

Read More:

Panfilo Lacson

Philippine Senate

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Manuel Bonoan

graft

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