Enrile undergoes another eye-checkup
Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at Camp Crame on the way to the PNP Hospital. The Sandiganbayan has ordered Enrile’s arrest in connection with the plunder and graft cases filed by the Ombudsman. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ LEO SABANGAN
MANILA, Philippines — Detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was brought anew to the Asian Eye Institute in Makati City on Sunday morning for a follow-up check up.
The 90-year-old Enrile left the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame at around 8:45 a.m. Sunday, aboard a black Toyota Fortuner accompanied by a four-vehicle convoy.
“I had a post operation check up because that is a protocol of this procedure. My eyesight is okay,” the senator told reporters.
His visit to the Asian Eye Institute in Rockwell, Makati City, only took 10 minutes, after which he was promptly brought back to the PNP General Hospital by 9:30 a.m.
Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group escorted him back and forth on his visit to the eye center.
Article continues after this advertisementOn Saturday, Enrile was brought to the same eye center for an eye injection for a condition of his eyes, known as macular degeneration.
Article continues after this advertisementMacular degeneration usually affects older adults, leading to a loss of vision due to damage to the retina.
Enrile is in danger of losing his eyesight if he is not administered the special injection, according to the senator’s lawyer, Enrique dela Cruz.
The procedure is done twice a month.
“I will have another injection, I do not know yet (when),” Enrile added on Sunday.
Asked on how he has been faring since his surrender last Friday, the senator replied: “Well okay, I’m coping.”
He has been staying at an air-conditioned room inside the PNP General Hospital on Friday following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him for plunder and graft charges for the pork barrel scam.
PNP doctors had recommended his temporary confinement at the hospital because of his hypertension and other ailments.
However, the PNP said it would not release mugshots and other updates on Enrile.
The PNP is expected to return the arrest warrant against Enrile on Monday (July 7) to the Sandiganbayan, after which the court will issue a commitment order on where he will be detained.
Meanwhile, talent manager Lolit Solis was seen visiting the PNP custodial center on Sunday morning, where senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada are also detained on similar charges.
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