Judge set to rule on Ruby Rose pa-in-law's hospital stay

MANILA, Philippines - A Malabon judge said he will decide on Friday whether one of the prime suspects in the murder of Ruby Rose Barrameda-Jimenez, her own father-in-law, will be transferred from an Angono, Rizal hospital to a government-run hospital or at the custodial center in Camp Crame.

In a four-page order dated Sept. 14, Judge Hector Almeyda directed Angono, Rizal police officer-in-charge Superintendent Rommel Estolano to bring lawyer Manuel Jimenez Jr. before his chamber on Sept. 18 for his arraignment and the hearing of his motion for bail.

In a hearing Monday, Jimenez filed very urgent motion seeking hospital arrest, citing a cardiovascular illness he has been suffering since his bypass operation in 2003.

His doctors, Ronelio Cabuling and Jocelyn Merced, said it would be very risky for Jimenez to travel from the hospital. She said her patient is hooked to an oxygen tank and a cardiac monitor because he is experiencing intermittent headaches and chest pains and fluctuating blood pressure.

Almeyda noted that Jimenez has been confined at the hospital since his surrender last Sept. 4.

Jimenez; and his younger brother Lope Jimenez, who owns the Buena Suerte Jimenez Fishing and Trading Co.; Manuel Montero, Eric Fernandez, Spyke Discalzo, and Roberto Ponce are accused of being behind the murder of Barrameda-Jimenez.

Montero testified he participated in the murder and led authorities last June 10 to a body fished out of the waters off Navotas, who he claimed was that of Ruby Rose.

Almeyda also directed Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales to present Montero before him on Friday for the arraignment of the case. The prosecution is working to place Montero under the government’s witness protection program.              – Non Alquitran