Sandigan suspends arraignment of 98-yr-old ex-solon suffering from Alzheimer

The Sandiganbayan has set aside the formal reading of charges against former Negros Oriental Representative Herminio Teves due to his mental incapacity to understand the charges against him.

The anti-graft court's Third Division granted the motion to suspend the arraignment of Teves' camp and said it will only push through once the former lawmaker is proven to be physically and mentally fit to enter a plea.

The defense had said the 98-year old Teves has been suffering from unsound mental condition and currently confined at the Asian Hospital Medical Center since October 11, 2018.

A notarized medical certificate signed by neurologist Dr. Valmarie Estrada stated Teves has "mixed Alzheimer dementia and vascular dementia, severe stage at present. He has also developed atrial fibrillation and suffered from a cardioembolic stroke last January 2017 presenting as slurring of speech and left sided weakness. He now has a PEG tube in place for feeding."

Estrada also testified at the Sandiganbayan that the Alzheimer's dementia of Teves is irreversible and has no known medical treatment. She also said the condition significantly reduced the cognitive function of her patient.

A separate certificate from Dr. Dinah Luisa Paralisan of the Asian Hospital said Teves suffers from Acute Respiratory Failure secondary to Pneumonia, Chronic Atrial Fibrillation, Acute Kidney Injury on top of Chronic Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis, Parkinson's Disease, Upper GI Bleeding and needs constant critical care.

The Sandiganbayan said the division clerk of court also saw the decline in Teves' overall well-being when it processed his bail bond at his daughter's residence in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

The Sandiganbayan, thus, said the health of Teves renders him unfit to be arraigned, but directed his lawyers to submit a monthly report of his medical condition.

"Based on the aforesaid mental and physical condition of accused Teves, the Court believes that accused Teves is unfit to be arraigned. Accordingly, the arraignment of accused Herminio G. Teves is suspended until such time that he shall be physically and mentally fit to be so arraigned," it said.

Teves faces one count of graft for allegedly using his position in 2007 to unilaterally endorse Molugan Foundation Inc. (MFI) as non-government organization-partner for the implementation of livelihood programs for his constituents.

The former lawmaker approved the release of his PDAF worth P10 million to facilitate the program despite MFI's ineligibility and the lack of a public bidding required under the Government Procurement Reform Act.

MFI received the public funds in the amount of P9.6 million and the P400,000 was allotted as service fee. The prosecution said Teves and his co-accused public officials used the funds for their own benefit. — MDM, GMA News