Palace OK with JPE hospital arrest

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang does not have any objection to the Sandiganbayan’s decision to grant hospital arrest to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile due to his advanced age and health condition.

President Aquino had early on indicated he was in favor of providing Enrile a more humane treatment because of the senator’s ailments and advanced age.

As in the pork barrel scam cases, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said “we’ve always abided by the decisions of the handling court especially when it comes to detention.”

“We only implement (court orders), but I believe the President has mentioned in this particular case that given the advanced age of Senator Enrile and health problems... I don’t think that there was any objection that was interposed in the proceedings,” Valte said.

The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division clerk of court, Dennis Pulma said the 90-year-old lawmaker’s medical condition was considered in granting his request for continued confinement at the Philippine National Police General Hospital (PNPGH) at Camp Crame.

“Premises considered, accused Juan Ponce Enrile’s motion for detention at the PNP General Hospital pending the resolution of his motion for bail is granted,” Pulma said, quoting the decision.

Enrile will remain in the hospital until the Sandiganbayan orders otherwise, Pulma said.

Enrile may also seek medical treatment in other hospitals if necessary, the court added, but the senator will have to shoulder all the medical expenses.

During hearings on Enrile’s motion, doctors from the PNPGH and the Philippine General Hospital agreed the senator should be allowed to remain under hospital arrest.

Enrile said his ailments were due to his age, including erratic blood pressure that requires at least 19 kinds of medicine daily.