Doctors drain fluid from Saguisag’s lung

Doctors attending to former senator Rene Saguisag at the Makati Medical Center (MMC) inserted a tube into his chest yesterday to drain fluid from his left lung.

“It became necessary to insert a tube in Saguisag’s left chest in order to drain fluid which has started to accumulate there,” MMC’s 2 p.m. medical bulletin read.

“The evacuation of said fluid will help prevent complications such as an infection,” according to the bulletin, which also mentioned that the former senator remains neurologically stable.

Doctors said Saguisag continues to communicate as effectively as before and is recovering well since last week’s vehicular accident that killed his wife, Dulce, and injured two others.

Saguisag’s driver, Philip Calvario, who is also being treated at the MMC, continues to improve.

“He has tolerated the weaning process from the ventilator very well. He is now more responsive,” doctors said.

His wife’s remains are at the St. Scholastica’s College chapel in Manila, where relatives and friends continue to gather to pay their last respects.

The driver of the dump truck that rammed the Saguisag couple’s Toyota Grandia van at the intersection of Arnaiz Street and President Osmeña Highway in Makati City has been released on bail.

Manuel Geronimo’s arraignment on the reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, multiple serious physical injuries, and damage to property charges lodged against him has been set on Dec. 10.

The 42-year-old father of three paid P51,000 bail after his case was raffled off to Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 66 Judge Josefino Subia.

The couple who own the truck driven by Geronimo said yesterday they wished to attend Dulce’s burial as a sincere sign of sympathy.

Apolonia and Melchor Gerona asked members of media to help them ask the Saguisags for forgiveness.

“We wish to attend the burial but we don’t know if the time is right. They might still be angry with us,” Melchor said, adding that what happened was an accident.

Geronimo said he is willing to beg forgiveness from the Saguisags.

His six-year-old son, Adrian, said he is also asking forgiveness from the former senator on behalf of his father, as he might not be able to go to school if his dad loses his job. – Michael Punongbayan, Dino Balabo