Ivler's P.25-M surgery bill still unpaid

MANILA, Philippines - As murder suspect Jason Ivler is asking the court to allow him to undergo another surgery to reverse his colostomy, his doctor told the judge hearing his case that Ivler has yet to pay at least P250,000 for his previous surgeries.

Judge Luisito Cortez said during a hearing yesterday he did not want the team from Quirino Memorial Medical Center to be forced to conduct the surgery with Ivler’s previous operations still unpaid. He told Ivler’s lawyers to report to the court how the bills will be settled.

Ivler’s attending doctor Romeo Abary revealed in court yesterday that at least P250,000 has yet to be paid for two previous medical procedures, including his first surgery, when he was shot during his arrest in January 2010.

According to Abary, this amount is only for the surgical team and does not cover the fees for the anesthesiologist and other expenses. He said there was another surgery done on the murder suspect after this.

Abary also said the P21,000 bill for the colonoscopy done on Ivler on Monday (to determine the need for the reversal of his colostomy) still remains unpaid.

Cortez asked Ivler during a hearing last week who would pay for the colonoscopy. Ivler said his family would shoulder the expenses.

Ivler is facing murder charges after he was tagged as the man who allegedly shot Renato Victor Ebarle Jr. during a traffic altercation in Quezon City in 2009.