Doctor seeks Favila's hospital confinement

The doctor who examined murder suspect Michel Favila at the Cebu City Medical Center last week had suggested that he be admitted into the hospital for treatment.

In his findings submitted to court, Dr. Dionisio Salas Jr. said Favila is indeed positive of foot ulcer and pulmonary tuberculosis. Salas submitted his findings in line with Favila's motion for the court to allow him confinement. He was brought to CCMC last week for further examination.

Meanwhile, the court also ordered Salas to appear in court during the hearing of the case on Monday. The order is in line with the prosecution's request for a chance to cross-examine the doctor.

Last Friday, prosecutors submitted to court their formal opposition to Favila's request for confinement, saying the Health Service Referral attached to the motion "does not in any manner state a necessity, let alone an urgent one, for the hospital confinement of accused Favila."

The Health Service Referral only reportedly stated a plan for a referral to the CCMC "for further management," which could mean that there is actually no necessity of a confinement.

"It must be borne in mind that accused Favila is not an ordinary citizen with ordinary rights. He is in jail for a reason. He cannot request for a hospital confinement without the most compelling reasons. His right to comfort and to receive treatment as a jail inmate must be weighed against public welfare and the right of the state to protect its citizens," the prosecutors said.

The prosecutors argued that the jail physician could presumably diagnose and prescribe medication for Favila's alleged sickness to support his ongoing medication.

In his request for confinement, Favila said his present condition "demands an immediate medical attention and confinement to avert any untoward complications, which might lead to his untimely death."

Favila is facing charges in court for allegedly shooting Yongco to death in her residence in barangay Zapatera in 2004.

Yongco was the private prosecutor in the parricide case against Ruben Ecleo Jr., supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, of which Favila is a member. Ecleo's charges stemmed from the killing of his wife in January 2002.

On February 1, the court had granted Favila's request for medical examination and treatment after he was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Lately, Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center doctor Juan Reyes found him to have diabetic ulcer.

Favila's lawyer Giovanni Mata had said his client has again complained of severe back and chest pains, difficulty in breathing and severe pain caused by an ulcer in his right foot, a result of his diabetes.

Mata said that if the ulcer would not be given immediate attention, it could lead to complications that may result to amputation. - Joeberth M. Ocao