Last Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III revived the “wang-wang” (siren) as a symbol for abusive conduct and public officials who continue to impose their self-importance on the public and lesser public servants.
That metaphor may well apply to former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas. Despite being convicted of malversation charges and facing a libel suit and other cases, Wagas managed to secure an indefinite hospital confinement at a Cebu City hospital.
As a convicted prisoner, Wagas is supposed to be detained at the National Penitentiary in Muntinlupa City. Any medical emergency he may experience could be attended to in a hospital such as St. Luke’s Medical Center where Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former governor Zaldy Ampatuan were confined.
But since he probably can’t afford the bills—or can’t feel comfortable in the same hospital with such “prestigious company”—Wagas secured a court order to have himself confined in a Cebu City hospital for an indefinite period.
He may not command national government attention like former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste, but in his own way, Wagas got considerable leeway from both the court and the National Penitentiary.
Court records show Wagas obtained permission to be confined in a hospital in Cebu in six previous occasions.
It’s puzzling why the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office under the Dept. of Justice and other agencies weren’t aware of the frequent visits of Wagas or showed much interest to verify off-and-on reports of his presence out of prison.
The latest report by the Cebu vice governor and Rep. Red Durano of the 5th district was that Wagas was seen making “suroy-suroy” in his hometown during Compostela’s fiesta last week.
Even the hospital administrator expressed ignorance that Wagas was one of their patients.
Why the secrecy?
When a Cebu Daily News reporter went to Room 256 of the Visayas Community Medical Center last Monday, there was no name on the door. There were no uniformed guards outside either.
After three knocks, Wagas himself opened the door. He looked so surprised to see the reporter, he locked himself up again.
According to the Bureau of Corrections, Wagas obtained clearance from the DOJ for his latest Cebu City trip to attend court hearings last week.
His doctor said he returned to Muntinlupa yesterday. Or so they say.
In light of the Leviste case, which showed that former officials can freely move in and out of the Bilibid prison with the blessings of the warden, high-profile prisoners like Wagas should be kept under lock and key.