MANILA, Philippines – It’s been a rough few days for alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

But her “excessive vaginal bleeding” previously reported by her doctors may have been caused by her failure to heed orders for a complete bed rest.

The new bleeding came after she underwent a complete hysterectomy almost a month ago, and a day after a Makati court ordered police to move her back to her detention center in Laguna. The bleeding added to her already complicated medical history.

During a hearing on Napoles’ motion to stay longer in the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak or Makati Hospital), her personal gynecologist Dr Efren Domingo said that he got wind of her bleeding only on May 19 even though she first reported spotting on May 17.

“The blood permeated through her jogging pants and went down to her thighs,” Domingo told the court on Friday, May 23. Napoles was ordered to have complete bed rest on the same day – an order she apparently ignored.

‘Personal crisis’

Napoles continued to be mobile as she pored through documents in her hospital room so she could finish her affidavit on the scam on time. By May 20, Domingo said, her bleeding continued, although it manifested externally through spotting.

Dr Elsie Badillo-Pascua, Napoles’ personal ob-gyn conducted a pelvic exam on her. After the exam, she had more bleeding, said Domingo. “We had to tell her to [have] complete bed rest,” he added.

Her medical issues, said Domingo, are a result of several factors, including her diabetes. Stress worsens the condition of a diabetic.

He said it was normal for hysterectomy patients to bleed 17-21 days after surgery, but bleeding past the 27th-day mark is considered “too late.” (READ: ‘Depressed’ Napoles not giving up)

“She was so stressed. Her personal crisis was apparent on her face when we arrived [in her hospital room],” said the doctor. Domingo said that when they visited, paper documents and boxes were all over her hospital room. 

Napoles and her team of lawyers have since paused work on her affidavit. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima was granted an extension by the Senate on Thursday, May 22. Napoles was originally supposed to submit her full and signed affidavit that day.

Napoles’ lead counsel Stephen David said they were “more than 90%” done with the affidavit and that they would be able to submit it to De Lima before Monday, May 26, their extended deadline.

The prosecution, however, asked why Domingo did not tell the court of Napoles’ new medical issues earlier. The day after Domingo discovered and prescribed stop-gap solutions to Napoles’ “excessive bleeding,” the court continued to hear her motion to extend her stay in OsMak.

Asked by prosecutor Chris Garvida if Napoles’ bleeding was caused by “her own activity,” Domingo said he “assumes it’s not.” He added, “But she may not be aware of her limits.”

‘Intimate contact’?

During his testimony, Domingo also brought up the possibility of “private, intimate contact” as reason for Napoles’ bleeding. During the cross-examination, Garvida probed further, prompting the defense to ask that other people in court – particularly the media – be asked to leave.

Presiding Judge Elmo Alameda, however, said this was not needed since it was Domingo himself who brought up the issue and Garvida simply sought clarification.

Domingo said Napoles should stay in bed from 7 to 10 days since she first reported the bleeding, or until May 28. “I would order a discharge by May 28 if she is no longer bleeding,” said Domingo.

After that, it would be safe to transfer Napoles to “her home” or detention center, where she will have to still limit her mobility

Prior to being moved to OsMak to undergo a total hysterectomy, Napoles was detained at Fort Sto Domingo in Laguna for allegedly detaining former aide turned pork barrel scam whistleblower Benhur Luy.

While in the hospital, Napoles met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima – a 5-hour meeting that led to a strange twist in the biggest corruption scandal to hit the country in recent years. Napoles drafted a list and an affidavit that implicates lawmakers and officials in the pork barrel scam.

Napoles faces plunder complaints along with 3 senators – Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, and Jinggoy Estrada. 

She originally had until Friday, May 23, to stay in OsMak based on a ruling by Alameda. Given her state, however, Napoles stays in OsMak until the court resolves her motion. A second hearing date has been set on Monday, May 26. – Rappler.com