Judge extends hospital confinement

Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 has allowed Zaldy Ampatuan to undergo a coronary angiogram at the Philippine Heart Center.

In a two-page order issued early Thursday night, Reyes directed Ampatuan’s physician, Dr. Danilo Kuizon, to conduct all the necessary medical procedures including the angiogram not later than noon Friday.

“Upon completion thereof, the jail warden of the Quezon City Jail Annex is directed to immediately bring back the accused to Camp Bagong Diwa without further delay,” the judge said.

Late Thursday afternoon, preparations were being made to transport the former governor back to Camp Bagong Diwa.

Ampatuan was in a stable condition all day Thursday in the hospital’s coronary unit, according to Kuizan.

His doctors had recommended an angiogram for Ampatuan, who was diagnosed to be suffering from chest pain and fatigue, according to the medical abstract they submitted to Judge Reyes’ court Thursday morning.

Kuizan also said that Ampatuan should undergo a complete coronary work-up, and that he was scheduled to undergo the angiogram on Saturday.

The doctor’s recommendation on Wednesday evening was that Ampatuan should continue to stay in the hospital.

“I cannot tell exactly how long he has to remain in the hospital before all the tests are done.” Kuizan had said.