Gonzales wants to be released from Heart Center

Beleaguered National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales yesterday expressed his desire to be released from the custody of the Senate to prepare himself for possible heart bypass surgery.

"Bagamat sinasabi nila na maliit na prosyento lang ng nagpapa-bypass ang hindi nakakaligtas, mabuti na pong nakahanda tayo dahil hindi natin alam kung kukunin tayo ng Maykapal (Even as they say that a small percentage of people who have heart bypass don’t survive the operation, it is better for us to prepare ourselves in the event that God will take us)," Gonzales said.

In a videotaped message to chapter leaders of Aksyon Sambayanan and his colleagues from the Philippine Democratic Socialist Party of which he is president, Gonzales stressed his release from Senate detention would afford him the opportunity to consult his family and friends about the operation although he has yet to finalize plans to go under the knife.

In a statement, the PDSP said they have "to assess the current national situation and map out their strategic response" regarding the request made by the detained Palace official who was cited in contempt by the Senate for refusing to answer questions regarding a controversial contract with a US public relations firm.

Gonzales, who was diagnosed with congested arteries of the heart, said he was concerned about his family and loved ones and those who depend on him.

"Gusto ko pong makausap din muna sila bago ako magpa-opera. Ayoko naman pong maging iresponsable (I want to talk to my loved ones first before undergoing the operation. I don’t want to be blamed for being irresponsible)," he said.

According to Peping Lugay, PDSP public information department chief, he was surprised by the videotaped message of Gonzales.

Lugay said it was unusual for Gonzales to mention the possibility of a failed bypass operation.

He said that relatives of Gonzales have strongly suggested that the Cabinet official forgo the operation.

Lugay said Gonzales’ heart condition appeared to be hereditary.

But Gonzales, for his part, vowed to join his colleagues in the PDSP once he is freed from detention, assuring that he would be freed soon "in the next few days." — Katherine Adraneda