Gonzales’ doc says he’s not fit to go through lengthy Senate hearings

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales’ doctor told the Supreme Court yesterday that Gonzales is too frail to attend the tribunal’s lengthy hearings on a petition seeking his release from Senate custody, fearing it could worsen his heart ailment.

Dr. Ludgerio Torres, director of the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City, told the SC that Gonzales was able to withstand the entire proceedings last week but he later complained of dizziness, heart palpitations and chest pain.

A portable monitor attached to Gonzales showed an "increased heart rate without the development of any major serious clinical events. Hopefully he will not be undergoing another lengthy proceeding that may jeopardize his heart ailment," Torres said.

The Supreme Court is determining whether or not to grant Gonzales’ petition seeking his release from Senate custody.

Gonzales has been detained at the Philippine Heart Center since Sept. 21 after the Senate cited him for contempt for refusing to answer lawmakers’ questions on the government’s now-rescinded contract with American lobby firm Venable LLP.

He suffered hypertension during the grilling and was taken to the hospital after the inquiry.

Doctors there determined that Gonzales should undergo heart bypass surgery due to a blocked major blood vessel.

Gonzales told the high court that he wanted to see his family before undergoing surgery, fearful that he might not survive the procedure.

President Arroyo is considering having Gonzales take a medical leave, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita disclosed earlier.

Gonzales was ordered detained by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for refusing to publicly identify the private donors who paid for the Venable contract.

He told the panel, chaired by Sen. Joker Arroyo, that he had presidential approval to sign the contract on behalf of the government but failed to clearly answer whether he got specific authority.

Senators wanted to find out who authorized Gonzales to sign the contract, which senators said was inimical to the Philippines’ national interest because it appeared to allow a foreign government to meddle in its affairs.

The Venable contract called for the American lobby firm to help Manila secure US official and private funding for a number of projects, including the President’s initiative to amend the Constitution.

Malacañang had asked the Senate to release Gonzales, arguing that he enjoyed executive privilege and was therefore excused from answering legislators’ questions, especially on matters that could compromise national security.

Mrs. Arroyo earlier accused opposition lawmakers of abusing their congressional oversight powers to undermine her administration through a series of investigations purportedly to uncover corruption.

Torres told the court that Gonzales was fine on the way to court last Tuesday. But later in the day he complained of chest pains and felt dizzy.

"Patient was ambulatory, secured comfortably and safely in the ambulance, monitored his condition during the duration of transport. General status was stable all throughout. Vital signs were reassessed before he was brought out of the ambulance," Torres said.

But in the evening, Gonzales had to be brought out of the court’s session hall to rest on a stretcher.

Gonzales’ lawyer, Antonio Bautista, had earlier told the high court that his client would need to undergo bypass surgery soon, citing Torres’ findings.

Bautista said that Gonzales would like to seek a second opinion on the need for him to undergo heart surgery.

However, he said, Gonzales "cannot freely and adequately seek out other and further medical opinion" while he remains in Senate custody. — With Marvin Sy