To gauge health condition: Ecleo ordered to take medical examination

The Regional Trial Court has ordered cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. to submit himself to a medical examination to determine the real condition of his health.

Judge Geraldine Faith Econg ordered Ecleo to appear before Dr. Generoso Matiga, cardiologist consultant of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in the latter's clinic at Room 512 Cancer Institute, Perpetual Succour Hospital on June 22 at 1:30 p.m.

Part of his test may include an echocardiogram and some time on the treadmill.

Econg earlier granted the prosecution's motion to have Ecleo examined by independent doctors to determine his health. The move came upon the observation of the prosecution that Ecleo already appears to be healthy and should be sent back to jail considering that the granting of his P1 million bail was not based on whether or not the evidence is weak or strong but humanitarian consideration following his doctor's opinion describing him then as a "walking time bomb" who can "die anytime".

Judge Generosa Labra, who was then handling the case, granted Ecleo temporary liberty after putting up a P1-million bail. The granting of the bail was upheld by the Court of Appeals but the appellate court did not also prevent the lower court from revisiting the issue of the bail.

It was Dr. Roberto Anastacio who diagnosed Ecleo to be suffering from stenosis of the right coronary artery in the mid portion of his body.

Stenosis has been defined as an abnormal condition characterized by the constriction or narrowing of an opening or passageway in a body structure. The narrowing of the vessel reduces and compromises the blood flow thereby depriving the cardiac muscles of the needed oxygen and other nutrients.

Ecleo is facing a parricide case for allegedly masterminding in the killing of his wife, Alona Bacolod in January 2002. - Fred P. Languido