Court summons BBRC doc to testify on Favila's health

If the court finds the city jail doctor competent enough to administer the medical procedures for Michel Favila, the murder suspect may no longer have to be admitted in the hospital, as requested by his lawyers.

Regional Trial Court Branch 20 Judge Bienvenido Saniel Jr. yesterday ordered Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center jail doctor Juan Reyes to be placed on the witness stand today so could tell the court whether he is capable of administering the procedures enumerated by the doctor who had examined Favila in the hospital the other week.

Dr. Dionisio Salas Jr. yesterday clarified before the court his earlier suggestion that Favila should be hospitalized, saying this suggestion only pertains to Favila's diabetes. As to Favila's other illness, pulmonary tuberculosis, Salas said the murder suspect could be treated outside the hospital.

Salas said Favila's high sugar count of 345 had contributed to the worsening of his foot ulcer, which if not addressed to properly, might result to amputation. After an X-ray examination, Salas said they learned that Favila's right foot is already in the "rotting stage" and is even emitting puss.

He then recommended that Favila be hospitalized so that insulin can be administered on him to counter his high sugar count. Administering the treatment would also need consistent monitoring every two to three hours, Salas said.

But when asked if it is possible to administer the treatment at the jail in the evenings, Salas answered in the affirmative, saying, however, that the doctor should be competent enough to do the same. The court is looking into the possibility of bringing Favila to the hospital in the morning but placing him back to jail in the evening.

Should the court's initial plan push through, Favila would be treated at BBRC's infirmary.

After the examination the other week, Salas said Favila is indeed positive for foot ulcer and pulmonary tuberculosis. The doctor submitted his findings in line with Favila's motion for the court to allow him to be confined for the above illnesses. He was brought to CCMC last week for further examination.

Prosecutors have opposed Favila's request, saying the Health Service Referral attached to his 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 argued.

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 lawyer Arbet Sta. Ana-Yongco to death in her residence in barangay Zapatera in 2004.

Yongco was the private prosecutor in the parricide case against Ruben Ecleo Jr., the supreme master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, of which Favila is a member.

Ecleo's charges stemmed from the killing of his wife, Alona, in January 2002. - Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM