Sandiganbayan: Enrile to stay in PNP hospital for 30 more days

By PATRICIA DENISE CHIU, GMA News

Published July 17, 2014 4:48pm

(Updated 5:06 p.m.) The Sandiganbayan Third Division on Thursday allowed Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile to continue his temporary stay at the Philippine National Police General Hospital for another 30 days, to allow doctors to examine him more thoroughly.

A team of doctors from the Philippine General Hospital earlier said that it would be better for Enrile to be confined in a medical facility instead of being detained a regular cell.

Enrile is facing plunder and graft raps in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In a July 15 resolution, which was released to the media Thursday, the anti graft court's Third Division said that the Director of the Philippine General Hospital Dr. Jose Gonzalez could continue Enrile's comprehensive medical examination.

"Dr. Jose Gonzales and/or any of his duly authorized representatives from the PGH, is directed to continue with the medical examination of accused Juan Ponce Enrile and to submit a report and recommendation to the Court within 30 days from receipt hereof," the resolution read.

Gonzalez, who appeared in court Monday to give an assessment of Enrile's health following an order from the Sandiganbayan two weeks ago, said Enrile suffers from multiple illnesses including chronic hypertension "dating back from the early 1990s," which is difficult to control even with multiple drug therapy.

Gonzalez then recommended further tests to determine if Enrile should be detained in a hospital facility.

For its part, the court added that Enrile can stay in the PNP General hospital temporarily, at least until such a time that Gonzalez and his team completes their medical tests.

"Pending the completion of the aforesaid medical examinations or procedures and submission of the required report and recommendation, accused Juan Ponce Enrile is allowed to remain at the Philippine National Police General Hospital subject to conditions earlier imposed by the Court," the resolution added.

The resolution also said that Enrile can be brought out of the PNP General hospital if need be.

"The necessary medical examinations and procedures as determined by the said doctor shall be undertaken at the PGH or any government hospital, which the medical team may deem to have appropriate, suitable and or modern equipment or medical apparatus and competent personnel to undertake the procedures all at the personal expense of accused Enrile," the three page resolution said. — NB/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: bantaykaban, juanponceenrile, sandiganbayan, porkbarrelscam