Prosecutors: Gigi Reyes’ hospital transfer is ‘special treatment’

MANILA, Philippines – Opposing lawyer Jessica Lucila “Gigi” Reyes’ transfer to the Philippine Heart Center, Ombudsman prosecutors said her motion “is essentially a plea for special treatment.”

In a consolidated opposition filed Monday, July 14, Ombudsman prosecutors noted that the incidents following the court order to have Reyes detained at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City show she “refuses to be held in Camp Bagong Diwa and is prepared to wrest control over such matter from the Court.”

Reyes spent barely 2 hours at the facility, before being transferred to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital (TPDH) at 1 am on July 10. She suffered sudden panic attacks.

A day after, on July 11, she was transferrred from TPDH to the Philippine Heart Center based on the recommendation of his attending physician Dr Anthony Lontoc. Reyes complained of peristent chest pains and difficulty in breathing, despite being administered medication.

The court’s 3rd division earlier denied Reyes’ motion to be detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center and instead ordered her detained at Camp Bagong Diwa.

It initially committed Reyes to a BJMP facility in Quezon City, but the jail warden reported to the court that it had inadequate facilities to secure the accused.

Not compelling enough

Reyes’ conditions are hardly compelling reasons, argued the prosecutors.

Reyes was diagnosed with hypertensive urgency or severe high blood pressure and neurocirculatory asthenia, a psychosomatic disorder characterized by lack of strength, breathlessness, and palpitations.

“Indeed, both could be addressed and placed under control by the timely administration of appropriate medication,” the prosecutors’ opposition read.

“As a matter of fact, as indicated in her own Motion, the Taguig Pateros District Hospital succeeded in stabilizing reyes with only oxygen, hydration, and a dose of Diazepam,” it further read.

The prosecutors added that “there is no need” for Reyes “to be transferred to a tertiary hospital or to a detention facility with a nearby tertiary hospital,” which Reyes also asked for before the court.

A tertiary hospital becomes necessary only for “major operations, consultations with sub-specialists, and when sophisticated intensive care facilitites are required,” said the prosecutors.

“It bears stressing that Reyes’ recent transfer to the Philippine Heart Center without a Court Order was not reported as preceded by any emergency,” their motion read. – Rappler.com