PCSO’s De Leon suffers stroke

BAGUIO CITY - Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Maria Livia "Honeygirl" Singson-de Leon suffered a stroke yesterday morning while presiding over a meeting at a hotel here.

De Leon’s condition has stabilized, her attending physicians at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) said. But as of presstime, she was still undergoing brain surgery.

Dr. Francisco Hernandez said De Leon suffered a "simultaneous intracerebral hemorrhage."

An intracerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke that is caused by the sudden rupture of an artery within the brain. Its symptoms begin with a headache followed by weakness, numbness and inability to move.

After complaining of a headache, De Leon nearly fainted while addressing PCSO general managers during a workshop at the Microtel Hotel.

A 60 cc. hematoma (blod clot) was removed from her brain by attending physicians during the operation, which took four to five hours.

Her condition turned stable after the first hours of the operation.

Doctors initially assessed at around 3 p.m. that it would take two more grueling hours to complete the procedure.

"Pumutok ang mga maliliit na arteries (Her small arteries burst), that is why there was a sudden rise of blood pressure," Hernandez said. "We would like to believe that it is not aneurysm, although it is probably existent."

Attending physicians were conducting an angiogram to confirm if it was aneurysm, or a dilation or swelling of a blood vessel.

It was learned from close family sources that De Leon had just undergone a general check-up last month.

Although physicians spoke well of De Leon’s state, they said she has to be stabilized after completing the surgery before she is flown to Manila for "management" of her condition and final surgery.

Hernandez said De Leon may have to stay for 72 hours more at the BGHMC. He said immediately airlifting De Leon might destabilize her condition.

"But if we can see that she could be transported in 24 hours after completing the operation, she can be airlifted," the physician noted.

Aircraft that will take De Leon back to Manila are on standby at the Loakan airport.

Hernandez said there is a possibility De Leon’s lower extremities might weaken from the attack and she might have to use a cane.

"I think, it is a hypertensive bleed," Hernandez said.

Dr. Jose Bernardo Gochoco Jr., medical officer of the PCSO, said De Leon was in the middle of her address to hundreds of PCSO general managers and staff members when she dropped the microphone and could hardly support herself standing. She was rushed to the BGHMC at around 10:30 a.m.

Participants of the workshop have been in Baguio City since Wednesday for the agency’s yearly corporate planning seminar.

Among De Leon’s first well-wishers was human rights lawyer Pablito Sanidad, a family friend and classmate of De Leon.

Sanidad, who hails from Narvacan town, Ilocos Sur is lawyer of De Leon’s elder brother, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Singson, who is on the campaign trail in his comeback bid as governor, flew via helicopter to visit his sister.

Presidential daughter Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo also visited the PCSO chairwoman. She flew from Manila to Baguio City to express well wishes on behalf of the First Family.

Relatives and friends of the Singsons arrived in a constant stream at the BGHMC to wish De Leon well. Two of the PCSO chief’s sons were with her at the time of the incident.