Imelda to undergo eye operation in Singapore
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 05/27/2009 6:04 PM
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The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division Wednesday granted former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos a 10-day permit to travel to seek medical treatment in Singapore for her failing eyesight.
Robert Sison, lawyer for Mrs. Marcos, said his client is scheduled to leave on June 2 and will return on June 12.
The widow of the former strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos is facing 10 graft charges before the graft court’s Fifth Division on allegations that she held financial interests in secret foundations and private enterprises while she was a member of the Interim Batasang Pambansa from 1978 to 1984.
She is required to seek the court’s permission each time she wants to leave the country.
Based on documents she submitted to the graft court, she will have to undergo a left Ptosis surgery to re-attach the levator muscle, which is causing her left eyelid to droop and hamper her vision.
Before the operation, Mrs. Marcos will see retina and ocuplasty specialists at the Singapore National Eye Center for assessments upon her arrival on June 2. The following day, she will go through a comprehensive health assessment at the Singapore General Hospital.
Sison said Mrs. Marcos had had four surgeries since last December at the Asian Eye Institute for a detached retina but she continues to suffer from an impaired eyesight which has caused her to have several minor accidents at her home in Makati.
“Mrs. Marcos is almost 80 years old and it would be more dangerous for her to prolong medical treatment for her failing eyesight. She is willing to abide by any reasonable condition to be set by the court,” the lawyer said.
Sison said the actual surgery will take only a few hours but his client will still have to remain in the hospital for post-operative procedures and for removal of sutures after a week.
Former Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, eldest of the three Marcos children, said her mother is also suffering from diabetes.
Imee, incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand’ Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and the former First Lady’s grandchildren will accompany her for the operation.
The court reminded Sison to caution Mrs. Marcos that she will have to strictly abide by the travel period and other restrictions.
Associate Justice Ma. Cristina Cortez Estrada, division chairman, likewise ordered Mrs. Marcos to re-post the P630,000 travel bond she had earlier withdrawn after she decided not to avail for the one-month travel permit in December 2008.
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