No need to transfer Cardenas aide to private hospital

There is no need to transfer former deputy executive secretary Ramon Cardenas to a private hospital, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials said yesterday.

PNP community relations chief Director Ricardo de Leon said the doctors at PNP General Hospital at Camp Crame can handle Cardenas’ health concerns.

"It depends on the ailment. If it is fluctuating blood pressure, high BP (blood pressure), I think our facilities in the PNP are enough," De Leon told reporters.

Cardenas was detained and charged with rebellion in connection with July 27’s failed mutiny.

De Leon said Cardenas will have to be brought back to his detention cell at the Police Anti-Crime Emergency Response building once his condition improves.

"But that is not the permanent place of confinement. It will always be the subject of a court order… As of now, he is in the hospital on a temporary basis," he said.

A PNP doctor diagnosed Cardenas to suffer from "fluctuating blood pressure," and said he may be transferred to another hospital once he shows symptoms that may be precursors of a heart attack or a stroke. These symptoms include severe headache and neck pain.

De Leon said Cardenas’ transfer to any hospital should first be cleared with the Department of Justice.

Cardenas was brought to the PNP hospital Wednesday night after he complained of difficulty in breathing. He was found to be suffering from a sore throat, stress and fluctuating blood pressure.

Four Special Action Force troops are guarding the former Estrada administration official — two inside his room and another two at the door — to prevent "unauthorized visitors" from seeing and talking to him.

Former senator Rene Saguisag, one of Cardenas’ lawyers, earlier said his client will undergo a series of tests to determine if there is a need to transfer him to a "better" hospital.

Cardenas might invoke health reasons to compel the PNP and the court to let him undergo "hospital arrest" just like ousted President Joseph Estrada, he added.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo said Thursday night that she would leave Cardenas’ case "to the mercy of blind justice." — With Marichu Villanueva