EDITORIAL - Health problems

The committee’s chairman called it a case of “ribbonitis” – an ailment that seems to have struck several individuals invited to face the Senate Blue Ribbon committee for the probe on corruption in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Erlinda Ligot checked into the Veterans Memorial Medical Center two days before her scheduled appearance at the Senate, complaining of palpitations, headaches and stomach pains. So far doctors at the hospital have not found anything seriously ailing the wife of former AFP comptroller Jacinto Ligot. The Senate wants Mrs. Ligot to explain her ownership of several real estate properties in the country and the United States.

Special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu, who previously denied receiving a P10-million pasalubong or welcome money when he assumed the top AFP post, also begged off from another appearance at the Senate, saying he was suffering from osteoarthritis.

“Health reasons” were also cited by Commission on Audit Commissioner Raul Flores, COA resident auditor in the AFP Divina Cabrera and Col. Rafael Lleno in asking the Senate to be excused from the inquiry. Another AFP chief accused of receiving millions in diverted military funds, Diomedio Villanueva, had a different excuse, sending word that he wanted to continue mourning for his recently departed wife.

Hospitals have long been used in this country as a refuge by individuals trying to avoid a congressional probe. Among them is Jocelyn Bolante, who is under investigation for the fertilizer scam. Prominent jailbirds have also escaped the hardships of life in detention by seeking hospitalization. With the cooperation of doctors, it is easy to come up with an affliction requiring confinement in a private hospital.

The prospect of facing a congressional probe, criminal prosecution or more days behind bars could in fact create enough stress that triggers afflictions such as severe migraines, hypertension, stomach pains and rayuma. The prospect of being embarrassed live on national television could even trigger a stroke. But there’s a thin line between suffering from a real health problem and using imagined ailments as a refuge of scoundrels. The legislature and the judiciary must make sure that line, however thin, remains firmly in place.