Bolante can leave hospital--doctor
By Thea Alberto, Julie M. Aurelio
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:30:00 11/10/2008
Filed Under: Joc-joc Bolante, Health
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE 2) Former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, who allegedly engineered the diversion of the multi-million peso fertilizer fund to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 2004 campaign kitty, could be discharged from the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, his doctor announced Monday.
Dr. Romeo Saavedra told a press conference that Bolante was given the clearance to leave the hospital, following several tests on his ulcer and blood vessels, among others.
"This is the final medical bulletin. He is finished with all the necessary tests and medical examination," said Saavedra.
"I have issued a discharge order and he could be discharged anytime now," he said.
Saavedra said he has informed the Senate sergeant-at-arms about the discharge order.
"He can participate in any Senate activity but as much as possible he must avoid too much stress," he said, referring to the pending Senate inquiry into the P728-million fertilizer fund.
However, Bolante has the option to stay at the hospital, said Saavedra.
"It's up him when and how he wants to be discharged," he said.
But Bolante has to continue to take medicines for his "obstructive sleep apnea, stomach ulcer and coronary artery disease and fluctuating blood pressure" and to undergo follow-up tests, Saavedra said.
"Our suggestion was that he undergo follow up tests every one or two weeks ... He is now considered as on an out patient basis," Saavedra said.
The doctor said Bolante appeared to "appreciate all the medical exams that we gave him."
"Just to make it clear, when Bolante was admitted, he was admitted as a patient and we are duty bound to give him the best medical care, it just so happens that he has the name, Joc-Joc Bolante," Saavedra said.
He added: "He [Bolante] did not enter the hospital to have an executive check-up."
Saavedra said he has also informed the Senate physician, Dr. Mariano Blancia, of their findings on Bolante.
"We told him about an hour before noon and he said yes, it was okay," Saavedra added.
Bolante was admitted to the SLMC two weeks ago after complaining of chest pains upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
He was then subjected to several medical tests such as stress tests or treadmill exercise tests, gastroscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan of the abdomen and coronary CT angiography.
Saavedra noted that Bolante was very appreciative despite having lost almost 40 pounds and complaining of body weakness.
"We are asking the press and the public to be patient...He does not have any serious or life threatening condition," the doctor added.
Asked to comment on lawyer Harry Roque's plan to sue him for "unethical conduct" for allegedly helping Bolante evade Senate hearings, Saavedra said: "I don't know where he got that information."
"As a lawyer, he should get his facts straight," the doctor added.
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