With the Sandiganbayan still silent on his petition for permission to go to the United States to seek medical treatment, jailed former President Joseph Estrada has decided to have eye surgery here.
Boston-based Filipino eye specialist Dr. Philip Tolentino has set the operation next week at the Asian Eye Institute in Makati City, pending approval of Estrada’s petition.
The surgery is meant to remove an acute cataract in both eyes and a benign cyst in the left eyelid of Estrada. He also has to have a kneecap operation in the US.
While action on his request to be allowed to leave for the US remained uncertain, Estrada’s doctors feared that his steroid shots, administered fortnightly to remove pain, would have adverse effects on his health.
Unless he gets his kneecap surgery immediately, Estrada also feared that the ailment might eventually maim him.
In a talk with selected reporters at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City where he and son Jinggoy were being detained on charges of plunder, Estrada expressed hopes that President Arroyo would give the green light for his US trip.
As a capital offense, plunder is non-bailable and punishable by death.
The President has said, however, that she is leaving it to the court to resolve the issue.
"I recognize the fact that I am under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. But I have already been arraigned and I have signed a waiver of non-appearance. My appearance (in court) is needed only on judgment day," Estrada said.
He also reiterated that he has no plans of evading prosecution, citing his rejection
of an offer by the Arroyo administration relayed through Justice Secretary Hernando Perez allowing him to go on self-exile to any country of his choice.
In his petition, Estrada said his personal physician, Dr. Christopher Mow, has a clinic at the Stanford University Medical Center in Richmond, California where Mow also teaches.
Estrada also disclosed that Mrs. Arroyo sent over her own physician, Rodolfo Sotto, for a joint examination of his ailing knees with Mow at the VMMC last June 25.
In a letter to the President, Mow said his 64-year-old patient has to undergo "a total joint replacement" through an operation called arthroscopic surgery.
Both knees of Estrada were diagnosed to be afflicted with osteoarthritis which involves deterioration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, causing pain and stiffness especially in the hip, knee and thumb knuckle.
"At this point, the condition of Mr. Estrada’s knees has deteriorated further and surgery is strongly recommended before excessive damage occurs to the structures within the knee joints," Mow stated in his letter dated July 20.
"It is also highly recommended that surgery best be performed in the United States because of the latest equipment and implants available. Certain specialized prostheses and equipment are likely to be required due to the severity of the condition. These materials are not currently available in the Philippines," Mow added.
Estrada rued that until now, Mrs. Arroyo has not reacted to Mow’s letter.
Estrada estimated that he might be in the US for at least one month to allow for recuperation.
Despite his bum knees, Estrada said he continues to exercise at slow pace using a treadmill.
"Above the knees, I’m still in perfect condition," he told reporters.
He also said his doctors assured him he would regain 20-20 vision once his cataracts are removed.