In yesterday’s hearing of the anti-graft court’s Special Division, Presiding Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro allowed Ang to be brought out and leave his detention cell at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig at 7 a.m.
The Sandiganbayan justice also ordered Ang to be brought back to his detention cell at 5 p.m. of the same day, April 16.
During yesterday’s hearing on Ang’s motion seeking court permission to leave detention and seek medical attention, De Castro said the Sandiganbayan had granted the request after the prosecution led by Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio made no objection.
Villa-Ignacio said the prosecution was amenable to Ang’s motion seeking medical treatment for humanitarian reasons.
The prosecution was amenable to it since Ang was already convicted and had paid the civil liability of P25 million.
"We are not opposed to it (motion) since he was already convicted," Villa-Ignacio said, as he also cited Ang’s payment of the civil liabilities.
Ang was earlier sentenced by the Sandiganbayan to a maximum of six years in jail after being re-arraigned and pleading guilty to a lesser charge of "corruption of public officials in relation to indirect bribery."
Ang was a co-accused of Estrada in the P4.1-billion plunder case but he opted to enter into a plea bargain with government lawyers.
Ang escaped life imprisonment after the plunder charge against him was dropped when he signed a plea bargain.
Aside from being a convicted prisoner, Villa-Ignacio also cited that Ang, through defense lawyers Alfredo Villamor and Ruth Castelo, manifested his intention to post bail.
The defense panel said they hope the court will decide on Ang’s motion seeking bail on April 16.
While the Sandiganbayan already allowed Ang to seek medical treatment on that date, Castelo said they might defer it.
"We will have to put it on hold for a day or two or until Tuesday. We will wait for the court’s decision on our motion to bail which we hope to come out on Monday or Tuesday," Castelo said.
"But we will consult the doctor of Mr. Ang. If there’s an urgency for him to be brought to the hospital on Monday, then we will do so," Castelo also said.
Castelo said there is no need for them to seek the court’s permission every now and then if Ang needs to go to the hospital due to his condition once his motion is granted.
Castelo said she has no idea how much the bail will be, but it is up to the court to decide, noting that it could even amount to a million pesos.
Castelo also contradicted Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Francisco Villacruz’s reported statement that Ang’s ailment is not life-threatening, stressing that the sickness of the accused involves the heart.
At the same time, Villamor withdrew their motion seeking a reduction of sentence on Ang, considering that he has served time in detention in a Las Vegas jail in the United States while awaiting extradition.
The defense had earlier filed a five-page motion to allow Ang to be brought immediately to a hospital on April 16 or the soonest time in order to have his heart checked.
The defense stressed the urgency for Ang to undergo further tests, workout and treatment to improve his condition and determine the specific cause of his chest pain.
They said Ang was visited by his family physician, Dr. Ruben Gaw Ki, at his cell in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig last April 10 after complaining of chest pain.
They said Dr. Gaw Ki cited the probability that Ang’s chest pain could be secondary to angina pectoris, and cardiac in origin.
Gaw Ki also found that Ang’s blood pressure could not be adequately controlled since his last checkup four weeks ago in spite of medication given him.
Because of this, Villamor and Castelo said Gaw Ki recommended that Ang undergo further examination and treatment before his condition worsens.
Ang earlier underwent medical tests at the same hospital and was found to have hypertension etiology, probably essential to secondary nephrosclerosis.
Gaw Ki suggested that Ang’s condition be re-evaluated after four weeks and be closely monitored.