Enrile transferred to Makati Med

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Enrile transferred to Makati Med
(2nd UPDATE) PNP spokesperson Generoso Cerbo Jr says Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who was not responding to medications, will remain at the private hospital 'indefinitely'

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was transferred to the Makati Medical Center from the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital in Camp Crame at 3 am on Thursday, February 26, due to apparent pneumonia, police said. 

Enrile, who just turned 91, was not responding to tests and medications and had to be brought to the Makati hospital, which has facilities that the PNP hospital does not have, PNP spokesperson Chief Supertindent Generoso Cerbo Jr told GMA News To Go. 

Cerbo said Enrile will be staying at Makati Med “indefinitely” until his attending physicians advice that the senator may return to Camp Crame.  

The senator is on hospital arrest over plunder and graft charges in connection with the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam. 

Cerbo said there is a standing resolution being followed by the police that allows Enrile to be transferred to another medical facility in case of “emergency cases.”

Coughing blood, high fever

Enrile has been suffering from fever over the past few days, a retired general who visited him said. 

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II confirmed this in a news conference on Thursday. “According to the doctor, he was rushed there (Makati Med) coughing blood, with a high grade fever for two days.”

“We wish him a speedy recovery,” Roxas added.

Government doctors had earlier testified before the antigraft court Sandiganbayan’s Third Division that Enrile is at risk of contracting a coronary disease. He is also suffering from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is attributed to his smoking habit.

Since his detention, Enrile has had check-ups at the Asian Eye Institute in Makati City for his eye condition. He has age-related macular degeneration, which may lead to blindness without regular treatment.

Two other senators, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr and Jinggoy Estrada; and two former members of the House of Representatives, incumbent Masbate Governor Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, and former APEC party-list Representative Edgar Valdez, are also detained while their cases are being heard.

Enrile is facing plunder and graft charges for allegedly allowing his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to fund ghost projects of bogus non-governmental organizations controlled by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

The senator allegedly pocketed P172 million (almost $4 million) in kickbacks from the PDAF scam.  Rappler.com

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