Doctor to testify on Enrile's medical condition

MANILA, Philippines - A medical doctor is expected to appear this afternoon before the Sandiganbayan and make a recommendation whether Senator Juan Ponce Enrile should continuously be confined at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame while his plunder and graft cases are being tried by the court.

Dr. Jose Gonzales, director of the Philippine General Hospital, has been ordered to appear and testify before the anti-graft court's 3rd Division on his recommendation.

In a minute resolution last Friday, Gonzales was directed by the Sandigan to conduct a medical examination on Enrile to determine whether "there is an imperative need for the continued confinement of the accused in a government hospital."

"The Court does not possess the necessary competence to pass upon the alleged medical condition of accused Enrile," the resolution read.

Medical certificates submitted by Enrile's lawyers to Sandiganbayan showed that the senator, 90, is suffering diabetes and hypertension among others.

Enrile also needs to under regular treatment for an eye problem, the documents showed.