Enrile gets eye check-up at Makati hospital

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Juan Ponce Enrile temporarily left detention at Camp Crame for a check-up at the Asian Eye Institute in Makati City early Saturday morning, July 5.

The 90-year-old Enrile is suffering from age-related macular degeneration – one of his illnesses that his lawyers had cited on June 13 to convince the anti-graft court that he was not a flight risk and should be granted bail.  Under the law, plunder is a non-bailable offense.

In an interview with reporters after his check-up aired on GMA News, Enrile said: “This is done, whenever there’s a need for it. Otherwise, I’ll go blind. I thank the police for treating me very kindly.” 

In consideration of his medical condition, the PNP on Friday night approved the request of the senator’s family for him to be  placed under temporary hospital arrest at the PNP General Hospital.

On June 13, weeks before the anti-graft court issued a warrant for his arrest over plunder charges for his alleged involvement in the “pork barrel” scam, Enrile’s lawyers filed a 53-page urgent omnibus motion with the court to allow him to post bail.(READ: Ahead of arrest, Enrile pleads for liberty)

Attached to Enrile’s urgent omnibus motion were medical certificates attesting to his poor health, one from Dr Amadeo Veloso Jr of the Asian Eye Institute which attests that Enrile has “age-related macular degeneration” on both eyes and requires regular check-up.

“Since 2008, he has been receiving monthly intravitreal injections to maintain and preserve his vision,” the certificate read.  – Rappler.com