PGH asks court to extend deadline for report on Enrile’s health

The medical director of the Philippine General Hospital asked the Sandiganbayan for more time to submit his report on the medical condition of detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

 

In a two-page manifestation dated August 20 but submitted to the court on August 22, PGH medical director Dr. Jose Gonzales said requested for an extension of 15 days from the August 26 deadline set by the court for him to give his recommendation.

 

The anti-graft court’s Third Division earlier ordered PGH “to continue with the medical examination on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and to submit a report and recommendation to the court within 30 days from receipt thereof.”

The court ordered the medical examination to determine whether Enrile needed to stay in a hospital while in detention.

Enrile is facing plunder and graft charges in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam.

The court's July 15 order was received by the PGH on July 25.

 

Gonzales said the PGH medical conducted the required medical assessment on Enrile on August 11 and 14, 2014. During his first visit to PGH, Enrile went through a two-dimensional echocardiogram (2D Echo), electrocardiogram (ECG) and carotid vein computerized tomography scan (CT scan). 

The team diagnosed Enrile to have, among others, bronchial asthma.  It recommended that he be examined thoroughly by a pulmonologist.

 

Gonzales requested the court to allow pulmonologist consultant Dr. Lenora Canizares-Fernandez to examine Enrile at the Philippine National Police General Hospital on Friday, August 22, or at the soonest possible time.

 

“This request is being made in order to render a complete medical assessment on Senator Enrile,”said Gonzales.

 

Because of the requested pulmonary examination, he asked the court to allow him to submit his report and recommendation on Enrile’s medical condition until September 10, 2014. —NB, GMA News