Court suspends transfer of Napoles back to Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna

Janet Lim-Napoles INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles will not be moving back to her detention cell in Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna, at least for now.
This developed after Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150 suspended the implementation of the court-issued transfer order following an appeal by Napoles’ doctors that she be allowed to stay on at the Ospital ng Makati where she underwent surgery for the removal of a cyst in her uterus in April.

“The order dated May 20, 2014 which directed the Director of PNP Region IV-A or any of his deputies to bring back accused Janet Lim-Napoles at Fort Sto. Domingo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna from Ospital ng Makati where she is presently confined is held in abeyance until further orders from this court,” the order issued by Alameda stated.

The court also ordered Dr. Perry Ishmael Peralta, Medical Director of Ospital ng Makati to submit a progress report of Napoles’ condition within three days from Friday.

Next hearing on Napoles’ motion is set on May 26.

During Friday’s hearing, one of her doctors, Efren Domingo testified that while Napoles is on her 2nd non-bleeding day, he needs 7 bleeding-free days before he can discharge her.

In his testimony, he said, one of the factors that may have triggered her bleeding is stress.

Her doctors said she has been suffering from vaginal bleeding as of May 17.

Dr. Domingo said Mrs. Napoles did not heed his advice to have a complete bed rest.

“Her personal crisis is obvious on her face,” the doctor said.

“She did not sleep several nights. She is very mobile in her room. I see boxes of documents in her room,” Dr. Domingo said.

Napoles is currently drafting her final affidavit which she was supposed to submit to Justice Secretary Leila De Lima. The affidavit bares the complete activity of her non-government organizations in connection with the priority development assistance fund (PDAF). That same list is being requested by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in a subpoena to De Lima.

On Thursday, De Lima sought another extension from the Senate saying Napoles was not able to finish her affidavit because of her health condition.

“In the next seven days I requested her to lie in bed. On May 21st, there was no more bleeding, only vaginal spotting,” Domingo said.

“That bleeding can be repeated if prevailing ambiance is present,” he said.

Although he said that Napoles was out of life-threatening stage, she should still be guarded, necessitating treatment.

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