No hospital arrest yet for Enrile; court wants proof of poor health

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile is being led to the PNP hospital inside Camp Crame. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Wednesday ordered the director of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to examine Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and  determine if he should be placed under hospital arrest.

This after the anti-graft court held in abeyance Enrile’s motion for hospital detention.

According to its minute resolution, the court said it “does not possess the necessary competence to pass upon the alleged medical condition of Enrile.”

Thus, the court ordered PGH director Dr. Jose Gonzales or any of his representative to conduct a medical examination on Enrile.

The state hospital is ordered to submit a report of recommendation to the court if “there is an imperative need for the continued confinement of (Enrile) in a government hospital,” the resolution read.

PGH was given three days to make a report.

“Pending receipt of the aforesaid required report, the Court will hold in abeyance action on Enrile’s motion for detention at the PNP General Hospital,” the motion read.

The meantime, Enrile stays at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital until the court orders otherwise, the motion read.

But Enrile is allowed by the court to access other medical facilities outside Camp Crame “in case of an emergency or necessity” or if “the medical procedure required… is not available at or cannot be provided for by… PNP General Hospital”, the motion said.

“The Director or Administrator of the PNP General Hospital is granted authority to allow accused Enrile to access another medical facility outside Camp Crame only,” the motion said.

However, the medical check-up should be at the expense of Enrile, the motion read.

The court also required the PNP to submit a report to the court on Enrile’s visits to other medical facilities.

The camp of Enrile has been asking the court to put him under hospital arrest, citing his “advanced age and frail condition” in his motion for hospital arrest amid his plunder case in connection with his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam.

The 90-year-old senator also asked the court to allow him access to other medical facilities “in case of emergency of necessity” and under security by the guards.

Enrile cited his need for regular intravitreal injection.

“(T)he PNP General Hospital may not have the necessary specialists or resources to fully address Enrile’s elderly needs and poor medical condition, and the complete specialized equipment and facilities for the delicate treatments requires for his particular ailments…” the motion read.

According to his motion for bail, which was later junked by the court, Enrile has the following 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 under 22 maintenance medicines for his illnesses: 21 tablets and an injection.

Enrile was rushed to the PNP hospital after he surrendered to the police for his plunder charges over the pork barrel scam. Police said Enrile suffered from hypertension and abnormal heart beat.

Juan Ponce Enrile’s Motion for Detention (1)

Juan Ponce Enrile’s Motion for Detention (2)

Juan Ponce Enrile’s Motion for Detention (3)

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