Senator Juan Ponce Enrile at Camp Crame on the way to the PNP Hospital. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile wishes to see only 60 people while he is confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Quezon City following his surrender last week.
The list includes immediate family members, Senate and security staff, and high-profile personalities—senators, congressmen and a former President.
The PNP spokesman, Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, said the confidential list was voluntarily submitted to the PNP by the camp of the 90-year-old senator, who has been staying at the hospital since his surrender on Friday.
Of the 60 people, 14 are family members, 8 VIPs, 9 from the legal team, 9 Senate staff, 8 doctors, and 12 security personnel, personal staff, personal nurse and staff.
Sindac said the family had requested “to keep whatever goes on as private as possible.”
“They have specified the list of 60 who can visit him, at a specific time. He is in a hospital. We should understand that the conditions there are different. We always put into consideration his health,” he said.
Air-conditioned room
Enrile is staying in an air-conditioned room in the hospital’s special ward. The room can accommodate up to four visitors at a time.
“As of now, these are the only visitors to be allowed unless there is a compelling reason to add more. Those not on the list must signify their intent with his counsels,” Sindac said.
Hospital visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every day, according to the official. The ward where Enrile is confined only allows four visitors at a time.
Meanwhile, Enrile’s condition appeared to have improved over the weekend.
From a 210/90 blood pressure on Friday, Sindac said, the latest reading was 140/70.
As of Monday, the senator’s pulse rate was at 63 from Friday’s 84, and his temperature at 36 degrees Celsius.
PNP cardiologists recommended that he undergo a 2-D echo with Doppler on Tuesday at 2 a.m.
Eye institute
He is scheduled to go back to the Asian Eye Institute in Makati City for an injection in the right eye on July 12.
Sindac said Enrile’s personal nurse was staying with him in his hospital room, working together with the PNP medical personnel.
“He is still in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) so it’s easier to grant that request. His personal nurse knows the particulars of his medication by heart,” the PNP spokesman added.
Earlier, PNP doctors noted that Enrile had heart murmur, or an abnormal heart sound. He is taking medicines for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol and vertigo, and blood thinners, anti-anemia injectables and multivitamins.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tianco, United Nationalist Alliance secretary general, who visited Enrile on Sunday, earlier said the senator had been able to sleep well and that he was eating his hospital food rations.
Sindac said the senator was still in CIDG custody and not yet under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, which has not yet issued a commitment order.
He added that Enrile’s two trips to the Asian Eye Institute last weekend needed to be approved only by the CIDG head, Director Benjamin Magalong, who is in charge of his custody.
“That was of course a prearranged trip. This was a postoperative treatment, which is required. Otherwise, he would go blind,” Sindac said.
He noted that the procedure done on Enrile was very sensitive and needed specific equipment.
But once the Sandiganbayan issues an order for his commitment, it will be up to the court to decide on future trips, if any.
Sindac said the PNP had been informed only of Enrile’s eye condition, macular degeneration, which results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field.
Personal money
Enrile has been spending personal money for his medicines since last weekend.
“We were hoping that the Sandiganbayan could rule on the arrest as soon as possible so we could prepare and plan accordingly. But the PNP is ready for any eventuality or order of the court that may affect us,” Sindac said.
Asked to comment on Enrile’s request for hospital arrest at the PNP hospital, he said the PNP would abide by it should the court grant the request.
So far, Enrile is the only detainee at the PNP hospital in Camp Crame, he added.
Originally posted: 4:47 pm | Monday, July 7th, 2014
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