Sandigan denies Imelda request to travel to China

The Sandiganbayan yesterday turned down the request of former First Lady Imelda Marcos to travel to China for medical treatment.

"Our local doctors are very competent and equipped with the latest medical equipment and apparatus to perform Marcos’ desired evaluation. Surely, her knee problem can find a remedy in this country," the fourth division of the Sandiganbayan asserted.

In a five-page resolution, Justices Gregory Ong, Jose Hernandez and Rodolfo Ponferrada decided to "adopt" the prosecution’s stand in opposing Mrs. Marcos’ request.

The prosecution said Mrs. Marcos’ medical problems can be addressed here since China’s "alternative medicine is not the answer to her knee problem but only an option."

The prosecution led by Deputy Special Prosecutor Robert Kallos argued the widow of the late strongman is actually capable of walking around with relative ease.

In a five-page opposition, Kallos cited Mrs. Marcos’ travel history, noting that, on occasion, she had failed to return to the country and appear before the anti-graft court on a timely basis.

In one instance, Kallos said, the former Leyte lawmaker even extended her stay abroad for more than two weeks.

Through her lawyer Robert Sison, Mrs. Marcos filed a motion urging the fourth and fifth divisions of the Sandiganbayan to allow her to travel to China from June 9 to 24 to consult with a certain Dr. Yen in Shanghai province regarding her knee problem.

Sison said Mrs. Marcos is "again feeling the same inconvenience brought about by persistent knee pains especially when alighting from a vehicle or standing for a long time."

He said Mrs. Marcos had consulted Dr. Yen, reputed to be the best medical expert in Shanghai. He claimed Yen became famous because his medicines proved to be "very effective" in treating hypertension and diabetes.

Kallos, however, argued there are Filipino surgeons who are "more qualified to conduct or perform the surgery."