Defense chief Lorenzana confined in hospital for tests

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana is currently confined at a military hospital for a series of tests.

“I am here at the Veterans (Memorial Medical Center) undergoing executive check-up. I will be out in a day or two,” he told reporters Wednesday night.

“Just a routine executive checkup after I came to the Veterans Hospital for some eye problems. They are doing a series of tests. While here they did a full checkup. Stress-related daw,” he added.

The 70-year-old official also dismissed the rumors that he suffered cardiac arrest.

“That’s what rumors are — exaggeration,” he said.

In a separate statement, Defense spokesperson Director Arsenio Andolong said Lorenzana checked in to the hospital last Monday for his eye problems.

But the defense chief was advised by the hospital director to undergo an executive checkup.

“The Secretary was also urged to take advantage of his stay in the hospital to briefly rest from his busy schedule brought about by the preparations for the recently concluded elections,” Andolong said. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)