Napoles can’t pay hospital bills

MANILA, Philippines - Suspected pork barrel scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles has sought to lift the order freezing her assets and bank accounts before the court so she can pay her hospital bills.

Napoles argued she would have to stay longer at the Ospital ng Makati because it would not discharge her unless she settles the bill for her surgery.

The Makati City Regional Trial Court has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to bring Napoles back to her detention in Sta. Rosa, Laguna but the Ospital ng Makati is demanding payment amounting to P97,000.

The problem is Napoles is claiming she has no money to settle the hospital bills.

National police spokesman Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the PNP has sought the wisdom of government prosecutors on what to do with Napoles.

“Unfortunately, our hands are tied and there was a move that this transfer be held in abeyance. We respect that for time being and will see how this goes with the prosecution,” Sindac said.

“In a way this has become our dilemma because she could not be released or issued discharge order until she has fully paid her hospital bill.”

Sindac said the PNP would not transfer Napoles until after the hospital bills are paid and she is properly discharged.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the panel handling the trial of the serious illegal detention case against Napoles would first study the motion filed by her lawyers last Tuesday before a Makati City regional trial court.

“The panel will oppose it if there’s no justification for her further hospital stay,” Arellano said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she would discuss the matter with the DOJ panel, but agreed to the position of Arellano.

“If Napoles will not be able to prove the necessity for extended stay in the hospital, then the court would know what to do. The court can reject that motion,” she said.

De Lima stressed the discretion to grant or reject Napoles’ request belongs with the court.

Napoles was taken to the Ospital ng Makati last March 31 and underwent surgery on April 24, where doctors removed her uterus and two ovaries.

Apart from unpaid bills, Napoles filed a motion for an extension of stay in hospital.

Napoles’ lawyers Fay Isagiurre Singson and Evita Magnolia Ansaldo filed an urgent motion before the Makati court on Tuesday, saying the accused still needs to undergo checkups once a week for one month, once every two weeks for the succeeding month and a checkup a month thereafter.

The lawyers said Napoles should undergo complete bed rest at a place that is more “sanitized, hygienic and sterile.”

The PNP said the Makati court has to settle the issue of extending Napoles’ stay at the hospital by hearing on the motion on May 14.

Napoles’ lawyer Bruce Rivera argued that bringing his client back to her detention cell at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna would not be conducive to her speedy recovery.

Napoles also sought before the Manila court to lift the freeze order on her assets to allow her to pay her hospital bills.

The freeze order on Napoles’ assets was issued on the forfeiture case by the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) last February to recover funds she allegedly embezzled in connivance with some officials and lawmakers in the pork barrel fund scam.

The AMLC also asked the Manila court to issue a preservation order to prevent the other respondents in the case from using or moving their assets while the case is being heard. –Mike Frialde, Edu Punay