Sandigan allows hospital stay for GMA’s co-accused

Sandiganbayan Building along Commonwealth, Quezon City. Photo courtesy of DGR Law Offices.

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan allowed a co-accused in the plunder charges against President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to undergo a medical procedure at a hospital.

Former Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Benigno Aguas was allowed by the anti-graft court to undergo a cardiopulmonary/endocrine clearance at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

Aguas was also the budget and accounts manager of PCSO.

His lawyers explained to the court that his doctors required the operation to ensure that he has a good heart condition before he proceed with an eye surgery.

The doctors added that it was necessary for Aguas to undergo an operation called pars plana vitrectomy with scleral bucking with gas or silicone oil injection on his left eye

Aguas was earlier diagnosed with rhegmatognous retinal detachment of the left eye.

The court also mandated the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide police escorts for Aguas’ hospital visit, provided that Aguas will shoulder all expenses in the security.