Makati hospital explains why Napoles still there

NAPOLES. Photo by RICHARD A. REYES

The government-run hospital where alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles is currently confined denied reports Friday that it was preventing her discharge because she had not settled her bills.

In a press statement, officials of Ospital ng Makati (OsMak) said that “as a matter of policy, [we do] not detain patients who cannot settle their bills,” and noted that Napoles had not “officially manifested” that she could not pay hers.

And even if Napoles really can’t, “patients who are financially constrained are offered options, including the execution of a promissory note in accordance with the Anti-Detention of Patient Act (RA 9439),” they said.

Napoles, who is also an accused in a serious illegal detention case, recently underwent surgery to remove her ovaries and uterus at OsMak.

Her hospital treatment was approved by the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150, which is hearing the detention case filed by Napoles’ cousin, former employee, and now scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Following her April 22 surgery, OsMak issued her discharge order on May 6 and reported the status of her condition to the court.

But Napoles’ counsel asked the court Tuesday to allow her to stay at OsMak for three more months, claiming that her doctors were requiring her to undergo regular checkups.

According to OsMak officials, it is this still-unresolved motion by the Napoles camp that is delaying her discharge. “The hospital is ready to formally discharge Mrs. Napoles subject to the stipulations of a court order,” they stressed.

Earlier, it was reported that the police were holding off plans to take the high-profile patient back to detention at Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa City in Laguna province, because OsMak would not issue a discharge clearance until Napoles had settled her bill amounting to P97,116.43.