PGH asks court for 2 more weeks to conduct Enrile check-up

Detained senator Juan Ponce Enrile arrives at the Philippine General Hospital for a medical check-up. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) asked the Sandiganbayan for two more weeks to conduct a check-up that will determine whether Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was fit enough to be detained in a normal jail.

In a manifestation made available to the media on Friday, Dr. Jose Gonzales, PGH director, asked the court to give them 15 more days to conduct a medical check-up on the 90-year-old senator.

The anti-graft court’s third division has deferred its decision on Enrile’s motion for hospital detention, and gave Enrile 30 days to have a check-up at PGH. The 30 days will lapse on August 26.

Gonzales said the medical team recommended that Enrile be examined by a  pulmonologist at the soonest time possible because of his bronchial asthma.

Gonzales said a check-up by a pulmonologist would “render a complete medical assessment on Enrile.”

“In view of the requested pulmonary examination the undersigned requests that he be given an extension of 15 days from August 26 or until September 10 within which to submit the PGH report or recommendation on the medical assessment on Senator Enrile,” the manifestation said.

In an interview, lawyer Dennis Pulma, third division clerk of court, said the PGH need not ask the permission of the court.

He said the hospital needed only to inform the court of their actions on Enrile.

According to his motion for bail, Enrile listed his illnesses: Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic hypertension, extensive coronary artery calcification in the right coronary, age-related macular degeneration, elevated blood fasting sugar, mild anemia, and eight other diseases.

Also, according to a medical certificate from the Makati Medical Center and attached to the bail motion, Enrile is taking 22 maintenance medicines: 21 tablets and an injection.

Enrile was rushed to the PNP hospital after he surrendered to police folowing the issuance of an arrest warrant for his plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam. Police said Enrile suffered from hypertension and abnormal heart beat.
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