Judge defers ruling on Napoles hospital detention
MANILA, Philippines—The judge handling the serious illegal detention case against Janet Lim Napoles has deferred ruling on the motion seeking to extend her hospital stay, pending a testimony from the police doctor assigned at Napoles’ Fort Sto. Domingo jail.
Makati Judge Elmo Alameda has scheduled for Tuesday the continuation of the hearing on the motion for Napoles’ further stay at the Ospital ng Makati, with Chief Insp. Magnolia Bermudez, the Fort Sto. Domingo doctor, summoned to appear in court.
Bermudez will testify whether Fort Sto. Domingo has the facilities for Napoles’ recovery.
At the hearing on Thursday, Perry Peralta, the Osmak medical director, told the court that there were no hindrances to Napoles’ discharge from the hospital.
“Clinical, medical, administrative and legal hindrances for the discharge of Mrs. Napoles? There is none,” Peralta said noting that even if Napoles had to settle P105,000 worth of hospital bills, she may issue a promissory note undertaking to pay the unpaid bills at a later date.
Napoles’ doctors, Efren Domingo and Elsie Badillo-Pascua, also testified to say that they had given last May 5 the medical clearance for Napoles’ discharge, but that she had to see them for a follow-up check-up in the succeeding weeks.
Article continues after this advertisementDomingo explained that Napoles can fully recover in a clean home setting but her doctors have to conduct regular checkups on her that might require hospital facilities in the next few weeks.
Article continues after this advertisementHe told the court that he was willing to visit Napoles at her Fort Sto. Domingo jail provided that the court will ensure the doctors’ security.
However, he said they would prefer to see Napoles in their medical clinics or at the Osmak where she remains confined.
“Can you do all the check ups within eight days?” Alameda asked Domingo.
“Yes, but there will still be follow ups,” was the reply.
To which, Alameda answered: “We will cross the bridge when we get there.”
Last March 31, Napoles was allowed by the court to check into Osmak for the treatment of a condition called severe adenomyosis in the uterus with multiple adenomyoma. On April 23, she underwent a hysterectomy in which her uterus and ovaries were removed.
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