Napoles to be discharged Thursday from Osmak

MANILA, Philippines - Alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles may be discharged from the Ospital ng Makati (Osmak) by Thursday, a doctor from the hospital tasked to monitor her condition told the Makati City regional trial court yesterday.

The court is trying the serious illegal detention case filed against the businesswoman by pork barrel scam principal whistle-blower Benhur Luy.

It is also hearing the urgent motion for an extended stay at the Osmak filed by Napoles’ lawyers following her surgery to remove a uterine cyst, her uterus and ovaries.

Taking the witness stand, Florentina Villanueva, Osmak gynecologist, told the Makati RTC Branch 150 that Napoles has been responding well to medication, particularly to tranexamic acid, and that her vaginal bleeding stopped last May 22.

Tranexamic acid is used to end heavy bleeding.

Villanueva said Napoles could be discharged seven days from May 22, or on May 29.

The court last Friday deferred the return of Napoles to her detention place at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna after one of her doctors testified that she suffered from “significant” vaginal bleeding.

Napoles’ gynecologist Efren Domingo told the court on Friday that Napoles started bleeding last May 17 and was referred to him on May 19.

Contrary to Villanueva’s statement, Domingo said Napoles had stopped bleeding last May 21. He said he is willing to have her discharged from the Osmak after a “bleeding-free” period of seven to 10 days.

“I could order her discharged on May 28,” he said.

Villanueva also told the court that stress caused by entertaining many visitors at her hospital room could have triggered Napoles’ vaginal bleeding.

No clear instructions

According to Osmak medical director Perry Peralta, the hospital has no control over the number of Napoles’ visitors, adding that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is the one responsible for this.

“Reports have reached my office that the (rules on) visiting hours and the number of visitors have been violated. The PNP showed us a list of visitors. We saw a long list of authorized visitors. We told them that we could only allow two visitors during visiting hours. We left it to the PNP to control the number of visitors,” Peralta said.

He said he also received reports that even those who were not on the list of authorized visitors were able to see Napoles.

Prosecutor Christopher Garvida also presented in yesterday’s hearing Inspector Garry Abregunda – leader of the police team tasked to secure Napoles in hospital – who testified that there were no clear instructions on the number of visitors allowed to see Napoles.

Spotting expected

The prosecution panel also presented Osmak nurse Lourice Grace Bien who testified that Napoles had informed her at 5 a.m. yesterday that she was still bleeding.

Bien told the court that Napoles got angry and asked why she had been taken off intravenous tranexamic acid when she was still bleeding.

Bien said Napoles had stopped receiving tranexamic acid at 11 p.m. on Sunday on the orders of her doctors.

She added that Napoles told her that she still has “streaks” of blood and even changed pads and underwear twice.

But Napoles could not produce the soiled panties and pads when it was requested by the nurses, Bien said.

Peralta later told reporters that “spotting” was expected following surgery similar to what Napoles had undergone.

He said that Osmak doctors were not informed by Napoles’ doctors that she had been taken off intravenous tranexamic acid.

After hearing the testimonies of the witnesses, Judge Elmo Alameda said he would be issuing his decision on Napoles’ motion for an extended stay at the Osmak on Thursday.

Last May 21, Napoles lawyers filed an urgent motion with the court asking that she be allowed to stay longer at Osmak following her bleeding episode.

Her lawyers also asked that all her post-surgery check-ups be done at the Osmak.

Second opinion sought

Meanwhile, lawyers of whistle-blowers in the pork barrel scam yesterday urged the government to seek a second opinion and have Napoles examined by state or independent doctors to verify her claims of bleeding.

In separate interviews, lawyer Raji Mendoza and Lourdes Benipayo said Napoles’ claim is “highly suspicious.”

Mendoza represents Luy, while Benipayo is legal counsel for the second batch of whistle-blowers.

“To erase doubts and satisfy the curiosity of the public, she should be examined by government doctors, whether from the PGH (Philippine General Hospital) or DOH (Department of Health), or Senate doctors,” Mendoza said in a phone interview with The STAR.

Benipayo noted that something comes up every time the government would move for Napoles’ return to her detention house in Laguna.

“I find it unusual and highly suspicious. She’s been bleeding for three days. Right now, she’s being examined by doctors of her own choice,” Benipayo said.

Mendoza added that state prosecutors should “demand for the diagnosis and methodology of how Napoles’ doctors examined her alleged bleeding and explain their conclusion.”

Benipayo said if these physicians are found to be lying, their license should be revoked. – With Aie Balagtas See