Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile (center) gets his day in court during his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan on July 11, 2014. RAFFY LERMA
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) doctor who conducted a check-up on Juan Ponce Enrile said the senator’s medical conditions pose “life-threatening” events.
PGH medical director Dr. Jose Gonzales said in a written report to the court that the following conditions “singly and collectively… pose a significant risk for life-threatening events on Enrile.”
These are:
– uncontrolled hypertension that may lead to brain or heart complications, including a recurrence of stroke
– arryhthmia or irregular heartbeat that may lead to fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular events especially under stress
– coronary calcification which is associated with coronary artery disease which may indicate a future risk of heart attacks under stress
The PGH also said based on their medical evaluation, Enrile is suffering from:
– chronic hypertension dating back as early as 1990
– atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with previous history of cerebrovascular disease and coronary artery calcifications
– arrhythmia or irregular heart beat documented by a Holter monitor
– high blood sugar or diabetes
– high cholesterol levels
– bronchial asthma
– gait or balance disorder
– age-related macular degeneration on both eyes
– past history of upper gastro-internal bleeding
– history of benign prostate hypertrophy
The PGH thus recommend for Enrile further observations with referral to medical specialties and appropriate medical resources to respond to life-threatening events,
The report, however, did not go as far as recommending to the court the hospital arrest for Enrile.
The court heard PGH’s report on Monday during a hearing on Enrile’s hospital arrest motion.
In his motion for hospital detention, Enrile cited his “advanced age and frail condition.” The court deferred its decision, ordering the PGH to report to the court a check-up on the 90-year-old senator.
According to Enrile’s motion for bail, which was later junked by the court, Enrile has the following illnesses: Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic hypertension, extensive coronary artery calcification in the right coronary, age-related macular degeneration, elevated blood fasting sugar, mild anemia, among others.
Also, according to a medical certificate from the Makati Medical Center and attached to the bail motion, Enrile is also under 22 maintenance medicines for his illnesses: 21 tablets and an injection.
Enrile was charged with plunder and graft over the pork barrel scam. He surrendered to the police after an arrest warrant was issued.
While the commitment order from the court detailing his place of detention is pending, Enrile is in the Philippine National Police General Hospital due to hypertension and an abnormal heart murmur.
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