Buenaventura goes on 1-month medical leave

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Rafael Buenaventura announced yesterday he was taking a one-month medical leave of absence for the treatment of a thyroid problem at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the US.

After undergoing a grueling series of hearings at the Senate, Buenaventura said he decided to go on leave starting today and will fly to the US over the weekend.

At a hurriedly-called press conference late yesterday, Buenaventura laughed off jokes that he was suffering from serious SOD or Senate overdose. In the weeks that preceded yesterday’s announcement, the central bank chief had been spending much of his time attending Senate hearings.

"I was scheduled to leave last month but I had to postpone the trip because I had to be present for the hearings," Buenaventura said.

The central bank chief said his medical leave was originally scheduled last month but said that would have been a bad time to leave the country while the Senate was amending the Anti Money Laundering Act in the face of impending sanctions from the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering.

Since Congress has met with FATF representatives and ratified the necessary amendments, he said he felt confident enough to proceed with his personal plans.

Buenaventura revealed that his thyroid problem was diagnosed about 45 days ago when he first underwent medical tests during his trip to Australia last month. He went there to attend the meeting of the FATF’s Asia Pacific Group.

"They suggested that I undergo treatment there but I had to come back for the hearings here," he said.

When Buenaventura arrived, he was summoned to several hearings at the Senate to explain the proposed amendments to the FATF as well as the threat of sanctions after the FATF rejected the first version of the ratified amendments.

He declined to reveal details of his condition but said he would undergo medical tests and treatment.

"The prognosis is good," Buenaventura said. "I’m not worried."

Buenaventura said he will be accompanied by wife, Marivic Rufino. This is the first time since his appointment as BSP governor that Buenaventura is going on a prolonged official leave.

During his absence, BSP Deputy Governor Amando Tetangco would be the acting governor. – Des Ferriols