Senator Enrile has pneumonia; rushed to Makati Medical Center

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was rushed to Makati Medical Center before dawn Thursday due to pneumonia, the Philippine National Police said.

In a text message to INQUIRER.net, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said the 91-year-old senator had to be transferred from the PNP General Hospital at about 3 a.m.

The senator was “not responding well to his medications,” Cerbo said, explaining the need to move him to another hospital.

Cerbo said Enrile was escorted by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

“On the authority of the movement, there is a standing resolution dated July 9, 2014 stating that in case of emergency and necessity, the Director of the Health Service and the PNP chief is authorized to transfer (Enrile) to another facility,” Cerbo said.

Enrile has been charged with graft and plunder over his alleged involvement in the controversial pork barrel scam. Unlike his co-accused Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, he was detained at PNP General Hospital due to his frail condition.