Enrile wants to get better to face charges in court – son

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Enrile wants to get better to face charges in court – son
(2nd UPDATE) Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is getting better, says former Cagayan representative Jack Enrile, but cannot accept visitors other than immediate family members

BATTLING PNEUMONIA. Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is assisted by his aides as he makes his way to court prior to his hospital arrest.  File photo by  Joel Leporada/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Senator Juan Ponce Enrile wants to recover from his bout with pneumonia so he can face his plunder and graft charges in court, his son said on Friday, February 27.

Former Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile made the statement in a phone patch interview on ANC, when asked about the current condition of his father.

The senator, who just turned 91 on February 14, was rushed to the Makati Medical Center from the Philippine National Police General Hospital early Wednesday morning, February 26, due to pneumonia.

“He wants to get better so that he would be in the best condition and health to face the charges that are before him now,”  Enrile said.

The senator is “currently under antibiotic therapy,” his lawyers said in a report to the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division which was released to the media on Friday.

Radio station dzMM reported that MMC would not issue any medical bulletin on the senator, since he has invoked his patient privacy rights, which bars the hospital from disclosing his medical information unless he authorizes it in writing.

The senator had a high-grade fever for about two days when he coughed out blood, prompting authorities to bring him to the Makati Med which has better facilities, as allowed by a court resolution.

His lawyers submitted a report on the status of his health and the reason behind his transfer to the Sandiganbayan on Friday, February 27. Enrile is required to inform the Sandiganbayan of any changes on his condition as part of the terms of his hospital arrest (Read the documents that were submitted below).

Enrile said that his father no longer has a fever, and that “his appetite is back – a good indication that he’s getting better.”

“He has not spat any blood in the last 24 hours, but given his advance age, and frail condition at this point, he is under constant medical supervision and observation,” Enrile said.

He said  the senator’s older brothers died of pneumonia in their 90s.

Enrile added: “We in the family are closely monitoring his health so that hopefully, one day, we can bring him home. And if he decides to go meet his maker, the last bed that he lies his head in will be is bed at home. We know that he has but a few years to his life and we’re hoping that it’s as comfortable as possible.”

He said the Enrile family thanks the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan and the PNP for facilitating the senator’s speedy transfer to another medical facility when needed. Once he gets better, the older Enrile would be returned to the PNP General Hospital.

Enrile was previously diagnosed to be suffering from irregular heartbeat, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and age-related macular degeneration.

No visitors allowed

Enrile said the doctors have limited visitors to just immediate family members, apparently to avoid his infection with other diseases. 

Asked about reports that former president Fidel Ramos was not allowed to see the senator when he was still at the PNP hospital on February 25, Enrile appealed to those who wish to visit his father to heed the doctor’s advice. 

“He is not really accepting visitors at this point, only his direct physicians, some nurses and members of his family. The thing is really not to complicate the situation at this point. We are appealing to friends and relatives and the people that he holds dear in his heart for a little understanding,” he said.

The senator had visitors outside his immediate family when he celebrated at the PNP hospital on February 14, and was even allowed to have lechon, since his cholesterol level  reading was good, Enrile said.

Among the reported guests were fellow detainees Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr,  who were not authorized to make the detour from their supposed hospital check-up. 

Enrile said he saw Estrada, who was there for “just a few minutes” to greet the celebrant, but not Revilla.

A police investigation revealed that the two senators violated detention rules when they went to the gathering, leading to the relief of several PNP officials led by Police Chief Superintendent Alberto Supapo, now former head of the PNP Headquarters Support Service (HSS).

Enrile is facing plunder and graft charges for allegedly pocketing P172 million (almost $4 million) in kickbacks from the pork barrel scam. He allegedly allowed his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to fund ghost projects of bogus non-governmental organizations controlled by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. – Rappler.com 

JPE Sandigan Hospital Transfer Report

 

JPE Clinical Abstract PNP General Hospital

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