Senate Minority Floor Leader Juan Ponce Enrile (center) arrives at the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City on Friday, July 11, to attend his arraignment on graft and plunder charges in connection with the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam. He faces one count of plunder and 15 counts of graft. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile had been isolation since Wednesday after he suffered from an infection, former President Fidel V. Ramos told reporters Thursday.
“Kahapon pa may infection, naka-isolate,” Ramos said when asked about Enrile’s condition.
Enrile has been found to have pneumonia and was brought to Makati Medical Center before dawn Thursday, the Philippine National Police said.
PNP Health Service spokesman Chief Inspector Raymond Santos said that Enrile was transferred to the hospital at 3 a.m.
“He needed some lab procedures na walang capability ang (PNP General) Hospital,” Santos said.
Santos said the Sandiganbayan, which had ordered Enrile detained in connection with the P10-billion pork barrel scam, allows such emergency transfers if the PNP General Hospital does not have the necessary facilities.
Ramos and Enrile were two of the key players in the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 that toppled then President Ferdinand Marcos from power.
Ramos, then vice chief of staff and Philippine Constabulary chief, and Enrile who was Defense Minister at that time, withdrew support from Marcos and rallied people to support Corazon Aquino, Marcos’ opponent in the snap presidential elections. Aquino was subsequently installed as president.
Both Ramos and Enrile were not present at Wednesday’s commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Enrile is facing graft and plunder charges for the P10-B pork barrel fund scam allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.
He has been detained at the PNP General Hospital since July last year.
Two of his colleagues, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., are likewise detained at the PNP Custodial Center also in connection with the scam.