Gigi Reyes’ doctor in hot water over transfer order

Prosecutors on Tuesday threatened to have the doctor of lawyer Gigi Reyes, an accused in the pork barrel scam case, cited in contempt for ordering her transfer from the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital to the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) without court order last Friday.

Reyes, former chief of staff of Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, is charged with plunder and graft for allegedly helping Enrile pocket millions in public funds through a scam involving bogus non-government organizations. Enrile is also facing the same charges.

Dr. Anthony Lontoc, as well as doctors from the PHC and officials from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), were subpoenaed Tuesday to explain Reyes' transfer. He told the Sandiganbayan that he gave the order because he deemed Reyes’ continued chest pains a medical emergency.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emmanuel Chua Chiaco Jr., PHC executive director, admitted in open court that he is aware that a court order is needed before a detainee can be transferred.

In narrating the events of Reyes’ transfer, Chiaco said he asked Lontoc to procure a court order.

“I said she can be transferred only with a court order. I asked for a court order before she can be transferred,” Chiaco said, referring to his conversation with Lontoc.

However, Chiaco also noted that any doctor can admit a patient to the PHC, and that Lontoc had access to the hospital and its facilities.

“Any doctor can admit a patient. He is the attending physician of Atty. Reyes. [He also has] admitting privileges and access to facilities [since] he had his cardiology training at the Philippine Heart Center,” he said.

He said Reyes was already at PHC when he learned about the transfer, and that he did not question Lontoc’s judgment since he was Reyes' attending physician.

“I did not question his judgement but then there was a failure to follow my instructions. I had no reason to question his move Reyes. I allowed his judgement call,” Chiaco said.

For his part, Dr. Prudencio Sta Lucia of the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital said he also asked the BJMP for a court order before allowing Reyes to be transferred.

But Sta Lucia said that he acceded to the request, following the “urgency” of Reyes’ condition.

“I called the warden who said that we need a court order. But [Lontoc] apprised me of the situation and said it became more urgent, and that her pain was persistent. The BJMP surgeon said that it was the call of Lontoc, since he was in the position to recommend, because he is a cardiologist,” Sta. Lucia said.

Meanwhile, Justice Samuel Martirez also mentioned that perhaps the prosecution would like to cite the BJMP in contempt, because while Lontoc had Reyes transferred, she would not have been moved to the PHC if the BJMP did not physically escort her during transport.

For his part, Reyes’ lawyer Anacleto Diaz defended Lontoc, saying he should be thanked for appearing in court to explain Reyes’ medical situation, and not be held in contempt.

“He was merely a doctor who acted on his best intention, based on his professional judgement,” Diaz said.

The prosecution said it will file a motion Wednesday asking the two parties why they should not be held in contempt of court. —KBK, GMA News