Court defers ruling on Abalos bid for urgent medical treatment

Former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Pasay City Regional Trial Court deferred action on former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos’ bid to seek urgent medical treatment.

In its ruling, Judge Eugenio Dela Cruz gave the prosecution five days to comment on the motion.

Abalos expressed dismay over the court’s ruling, saying it is the court’s discretion to grant his request.

“This is too much. If something happens to me tonight does it mean they cannot take me to the hospital? Let me die in prison, ok, (if) that is their pleasure,” Abalos said after reading the court’s order.

Two nights ago, Abalos complained of difficulty in breathing and was taken to the prison clinic. He is under detention at the Southern Police District.

Last year, Comelec amended the information against former provincial election supervisor Lilian Radam and included Abalos as co-accused for alleged manipulation of the results of the 2007 elections in South Cotabato.

Votes that were supposedly tampered with involved those of then Team Unity members Senators Joker Arroyo and Edgardo Angara as well as those of Ralph Recto, Mike Defensor, Prospero Pichay Jr., Tito Sotto, Vicente Magsaysay, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Luis Singson including that of the votes of the Genuine Opposition’s Loren Legarda.

Abalos is facing a separate electoral sabotage case before Pasay City RTC Branch 112.