Frail in 2015, JPE cites improved health for 2019 Senate run

Allowed to post bail in a non-bailable case in 2015 due to his advanced age and frail condition, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is banking on his improved health for his fresh crack at the Senate.

Gamely answering questions from reporters when he re-filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila, on Wednesday, the 94-year-old Enrile said his blood pressure is 120/60.

He also said he can still "stand" and "walk erect" and credited his stamina to his monthly trips to his home province of Cagayan.

Enrile is facing a P172-million plunder case in connection with the pork barrel scam and was on hospital arrest at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame for several months in 2014 to 2015 until the Supreme Court allowed him to post bail.

In asking the court to allow him to post bail, Enrile cited his "poor health and elderly age." 

His motion cited the testimony of Dr. Jose C. Gonzales, the Director of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), during a hearing at the Sandiganbayan that he fears Enrile's condition could worsen at the PNP General Hospital since it doesn't have enough facilities to handle his condition.

Citing medical findings on Enrile, Dr. Gonzales said the lawmaker has "chronic hypertension with fluctuating blood pressure," among others.

Dr. Gonzales also attested that several medical conditions "could pose significant risks" to Enrile's such as uncontrolled hypertension that could lead to brain and heart complications and arrhythmia that could lead to fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular incidents.

Enrile, on Wednesday, said he could've died if he wasn't allowed to post bail. He noted that he was "physically infirm" during his hospital arrest "because I was immobile."

"I was confined in a room so little, with limited space. I could not exercise," he said.

"That is why I thank the Supreme Court for granting me bail on humanitarian grounds. If I stayed there (detention) until today, maybe I am dead now," he said.

He said his freedom allowed him to become "mobile."

"I go to my province every month, traveling 15 hours by car. I can still stand, I can walk erect," he said. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News