MANILA — Detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing plunder charges was rushed to Makati Medical Center (MMC) on Thursday after coughing with blood, Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Chief Insp. Dudes Raymond Santos, spokesperson of PNP Health Center, said that Enrile was transferred to MMC around 3 a.m. due to coughing with blood that needed more tests.
Santos said Enrile had pneumonia that should be taken care of in a better-equipped hospital, given the unpredictability of the senator’s health.
Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, head of PNP-Public Information Office (PIO), said that Sandiganbayan has a standing resolution allowing Sen. Enrile to be transferred to another hospital in case of emergency.
Cerbo said Enrile rushed from PNP General Hospital to MMC because of suspected pneumonia, and his not responding to medication.
He also said Enrile was properly escorted by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel.
He also said the PNP awaits the recommendations of Enrile’s attending physicians whether to return the senator in his cell at PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City or not.
The 90-year-old Senator is suffering from irregular heartbeat, hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and age-related muscular degeneration, which may lead to blindness.
He is one of the accused in the pork barrel scam allegedly orchestrated by Janet Lim-Napoles.
His fellow co-accused senators Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla are detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.