After bout with pneumonia, Enrile to have eye checkup

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–After almost a month in the hospital due to pneumonia, detained senator Juan Ponce Enrile is set to have an eye check-up at the Asian Eye Institute in Makati on March 21, 23 and 24, the police told the Sandiganbayan Friday.

According to its compliance report sent by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Superintendent Teresita Dumlao, Enrile will leave at 7 a.m. from the PNP General Hospital where he is under detention for plunder over the pork barrel scam.

His check-ups will involve examination procedure and treatment for his eyes.

In a press conference Friday, the antigraft court’s Third Division Clerk of Court Atty. Dennis Pulma said this is part of the continuing authority given by the court to the police to give Enrile access to hospital outside his detention place.

The police also informed the court that Enrile was escorted back to the PNP General Hospital on Thursday between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. from Makati Medical Center where he was earlier rushed due to pneumonia.

The 91-year-old Senate minority leader and former Senate President has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, an eye condition that may lead to blindness.

Enrile on Feb. 26 was rushed to the Makati Medical Center after he coughed up blood due to pneumonia and high fever.

Besides his eye condition, Enrile is also said to be suffering from irregular heartbeat, hypertension, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The police had said Enrile needs to be closely monitored “as age of the patient is a significant risk factor for developing complications and deterioration of his physical condition, not to mention other co-morbidities such as hypertension and diabetes.”

Pulma also said the court noted the letter sent by Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III calling for the house arrest of the veteran lawmaker.

He said Enrile’s camp has yet to file a motion for house arrest.

Enrile, in connivance with other respondents including his former aide Atty. Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, stands accused of pocketing P172.834 million in kickbacks from his Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) in the alleged Janet Lim-Napoles-masterminded pork barrel scam.