MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on Monday, March 3, asked a Makati court to allow her to undergo a surgery to remove a cyst in her uterus. 

In a motion filed before the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 150, Napoles asked to be allowed to hospital confinement as well. The new motion comes after Napoles underwent a medical examination at the Camp Crame General Hospital on February 26. 

The controversial figure wants to be treated and confined at the St Luke’s Medical Center. According to a radio report on Tuesday, March 4, PNP ob-gyn Dr Michelle Daguno recommended the cyst be removed via surgery. 

Philippine National Police (PNP) doctors from the Camp Crame General Hospital earlier said there was “nothing alarming” about the results of her medical exams. Napoles returned to her detention center in Laguna after undergoing a transvaginal ultrasound, a pap smear, and several blood tests. 

It was found during the medical examination that Napoles had a cyst in her uterus, contrary to earlier findings that indicated a tumor in her ovary. Napoles had earlier complained of “hypoglycemia, drastic weight loss, chest paints, severe abdominal pains, and profuse menstrual bleeding.”

Although Daguno was in charge of the medical examination in Camp Crame, Napoles’ attending physician, St Luke’s by-gyn Dr Elsie Badillo Pascua was brought in by the defense to give a second opinion. According to the radio report, Padua recommends a total hysterectomy or a possible laparoscopic surgery to remove the cyst. 

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reports on Tuesday that they would leave Napoles’ request for surgery “to the discretion of the court.” “But we will discuss that with the prosecutors whether or not to file an opposition,” she added.

The prosecution did not file a formal opposition to Napoles’ request for medical examination, said De Lima, because it only took one day.

Asked about Napoles’ request for hospital confinement, De Lima said it would depend on the healing time needed after surgery. “We will discuss it,” the Justice Secretary added.

Transfer to regular jail?

Napoles is currently detained at Fort Sto Domingo, a PNP Special Action Force camp in Laguna, for serious illegal detention charges. Napoles and her brother, Reynald Lim, allegedly detained former JLN employee turned pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy from December 2012 to March 2013. Lim is still at large. 

Various groups have called for Napoles’ transfer from Laguna to a regular jail, citing the cost of keeping her in Camp Sto Domingo. PNP Spokesman CSupt Theodore Sindac previously said it costs P150,000 a month to keep her in Laguna.

Trips from Laguna to Manila costs the PNP approximately P120,000 per trip. Napoles has left her detention center thrice since her surrender – for her arraignment, to testify during a Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing, and for her medical examination.

Napoles was transferred to the PNP SAF camp because of her knowledge of the pork barrel scam makes her a “high risk” detainee. Napoles’ relative silence on the details of the scam, however, have prompted some senators to call for her removal from Fort Sto. Domingo.

De Lima said the justice department was studying Napoles’ possible transfer “very carefully.” The Justice Secretary added that moving her to a “less secure area” might risk government’s chances of making the controversial figure divulge more details about the scam.

Serious illegal detention is a non-bailable offense, but suspects may be granted bail if a court finds that the evidence against them is weak. Napoles’ motion to be granted bail and the subsequent motion for reconsideration have been denied by the Makati court. 

The latest motion is scheduled to be heard on Thursday, March 6, at 10 am. The defense has yet to inform the Makati court who they will present as witnesses for the hearing. – Rappler.com