Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati Regional Trial Court branch 150 allowed Napoles’ request for a comprehensive medical examination to check a cyst on her ovary.
The judge ordered the Philippine National Police regional office 4-A, which has custody over Napoles, to transfer her from her detention cell in Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna to Camp Crame General Hospital Quezon City.
Napoles earlier requested the court that she undergo a comprehensive gynecological test, a transvaginal ultrasound examination, a comprehensive medical checkup, as well as to be admitted to a reputable hospital.
She initially wanted to have the checkup at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City, but her lawyer and the government prosecutors agreed during the hearing on Monday to have it at Camp Crame hospital.
Napoles has been in detention since August last year over a serious illegal detention case filed by her former employee Benhur Luy, a whistleblower in the pork barrel scam case.
She is also facing plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the scam and the alleged misuse of Malampaya funds.
In their motion filed last week, Napoles’ counsel Fay Isaguirre Singson said her client has ovarian tumor. She said Napoles has been experiencing profuse bleeding since October, hypoglycemia, weight loss, chest pain and abdominal pain.
“Accused humbly begs the kindness and human compassion of the honorable court to allow the examination to be done by a certified medical physician preferably her current doctor and in a reputable hospital such as St. Luke’s Hospital to ensure the correct prognosis and prescription,” Singson’s motion stated.
“Depending on the outcome of her examination and upon the advice of her doctor, should confinement be necessary, it is also most respectfully requested that accused be placed under hospital arrest also at St. Luke’s Hospital, Global City, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City,” it added. — KBK, GMA News
