PGH doctors called to testify on Enrile’s condition

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PGH doctors called to testify on Enrile’s condition
Meanwhile, the senator's former chief of staff Gigi Reyes, who's also charged over the pork barrel scam, asks to be allowed to undergo brain scan at the Makati Medical Center

MANILA, Philippines – The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan has ordered a team of doctors from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to testify on Thursday, September 4, on the medical condition of detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Director Dr Jose Gonzales and his team will appear before the court’s 3rd division at 1:30 pm Thursday as it hears Enrile’s request for a hospital detention, according to the subpoena that was issued on Monday, September 1.

The PGH doctors were the ones tasked to conduct a series of medical examinations on Enrile. The 90-year-old senator – accused of earning millions of pesos from the illegal diversion of his pork barrel to fake non-governmental organizations – is staying at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital while the court decides where to detain him. (READ: Enrile gets to stay at police hospital for now)

Meanwhile, Enrile’s co-accused, his former chief of staff Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes, has asked the court to allow her to undergo a brain scan at the Makati Medical Center (MMC), days after she hit her head against the wall of her detention cell.

In a motion filed Monday, Reyes said she suffered another anxiety attack last August 5, causing the accident. She said she has since been experiencing intermittent spasms in her right eyelid and cheek, and noticing a progressive slur in her speech and a slight deposit of saliva in her right lip.

‘Best set-up is house arrest’

Enrile’s lawyer Estelito Mendoza earlier argued that his client’s life is a shared responsibility of the court that ordered his arrest and by the arresting authorities.

He said the senator is in a frail condition and may suffer from attacks that are “immediately fatal.”

The prosecution opposed Enrile’s motion for a hospital arrest, saying past events had shown his physical ability to still fulfill his functions as legislator. Prosecutor Annielyn Cabelis even added that Enrile had undergone stem cell therapy, which had given him “vitality and zest” in life.

Mendoza later on expressed that the best set-up for his client is a house arrest, after PGH doctors cited as a factor stressors that may contribute to Enrile’s diagnosed conditions escalating to fatal attacks. 

Mendoza explained that a house arrest is the only setting where his client will not be subjected to stressful conditions. The Enrile camp, however, has yet to file a formal motion to this effect.

The detained and now suspended senator is charged with plunder for allegedly defrauding the government of P172 million in his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Together with Reyes, Enrile also faces 15 counts of graft.

MRI at Makati Med requested

Meanwhile, Reyes has requested the court that she be allowed to see MMC neurologist Martesio Perez to conduct her check-up after an accident in her detention room. 

Perez noted that Reyes’ spasm may be “caused by pressure on the facial nerve by a tumor or an artery.”

With this observation, Reyes wanted to undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) of the brain. She likewise asked the court to allow her to consult with Dr Willy Lopez or another neurosurgeon at the MMC.

Earlier, Reyes was diagnosed with mixed anxiety disorder. Her diagnosis came after she was initially thought to have heart complications, which were later on ruled out by her attending physician. (READ: Gigi Reyes needs psychiatric treatment – doctor)

Reyes likewise had a suicidal tendency, the doctor claimed. – Rappler.com

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