Prosecution still not in favor of JPE hospital arrest despite doctors’ recommendation

The prosecution panel in Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile’s plunder and graft cases on Tuesday continued to oppose his hospital arrest despite recommendations from doctors.

Philippine General Hospital doctors had earlier recommended that the 90-year-old Enrile be allowed hospital arrest since he is in danger of a stroke and other illnesses.

However, the prosecution, in a four-page comment, said that Enrile does not need to be confined to a hospital while being tried for his alleged involvement in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

“The prosecution, after taking into consideration the explanation made by [PGH director Dr. Jose] Gonzales and his team on his findings and recommendation, and after reading the results of the diagnostic procedures conducted on accused Enrile; disagrees with the said recommendation,” it said.

The prosecution said Enrile’s condition can be managed with medication, and that to allow him to stay in a hospital would be tantamount to special treatment.
 
“There is neither urgent necessity nor life threatening condition that accused Enrile is suffering. His condition as admitted by Dr. Gonzales is manageable and in fact controlled by maintenance medications take regularly by accused Enrile. His situation is not so special that would warrant a hospital arrest or confinement pending litigation,” they said.

But despite their objection to the PGH doctors’ recommendation, the prosecution left it to the court to decide where Enrile should be detained.

“Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that the Comment on the Manifestation and Compliance submitted by Dr. Jose C. Gonzales, M.D., Director, PGH, be duly noted and considered,” they said. —KBK, GMA News