Senate orders arrest of general, excludes wife

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) The Senate has ordered the arrest and detention of former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot but not his wife, Erlinda, citing humanitarian considerations.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile signed the detention order against the military official on Thursday.

Nine senators on Thursday signed the arrest/detention order issued by the blue ribbon committee headed by Senator Teofisto Guingona III.

Those who signed the order were Guingona, Senators Gregorio Honasan, Franklin Drilon, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Serge Osmena, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Pia Cayetano, Ramon “Bong” Revilla, and Ralph Recto.

This development came just hours after Guingona recommended the arrest and detention of the Ligots when they failed to show up during Thursday’s hearing of the committee on the alleged irregularities in the military.

The Ligots both cited health reasons for not attending the hearing.

But the when the Senate sent its doctor Mariano Blancha to the Ligot residence, he found out that the couple was fit to attend the hearing.

Ligot has no flu and the health condition of his wife was “normal,” Blancha reported to the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday.

While it is true that Mrs. Ligot has palpitation, Blancha told the committee that “during our examination, all our findings [on her condition] are normal,” including her blood pressure that was 120 over 80.

But Blancha said that Mrs. Ligot “was anxious. Kinakabahan [Nervous], may [there is] anxiety at umiiyak kung minsan [and at times crying],” said Blancha but added, “She could have attended the hearing.”

And in the case of Mr. Ligot, Blancha said their examination of his condition revealed that he has no flu.

“At that time of examination, he has no fever,” said the Senate doctor.

But Mr. Ligot’s flu-like symptoms, he said, started Wednesday and the former general was taking medication.

“The only pertinent finding was the increased blood pressure, which was 160 over 90. He also complains of nasal congestion,” he said.

Of the two, Blancha said Mr. Ligot’s condition was better than that of his wife.

But the doctor reiterated that the couple could still have attended the hearing in the Senate.

The Ligots, through their lawyer, Rafael Zialcita, cited health reasons for failing to attend the Senate hearing that was investigating the fund scam in the military, including their unexplained wealth.