Gigi Reyes rushed to hospital for ‘seizures’
MANILA — Plunder accused Jessica “Gigi” Reyes was rushed to the hospital reportedly due to panic attacks following her transfer from the Sandiganbayan detention to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Reyes was brought to the TaguigPateros District Hospital around 1 a.m. yesterday and has not yet been discharged by doctors as of posting time.
Her lawyers said in reports that Reyes’ panic attack caused seizures or shortness of breath.
The hospital has yet to give details on Reyes’ condition but said doctors are waiting for Dr. Prudencio Sta. Lucia, the hospital director, to release a statement.
Reyes, the former chief of staff detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, was not allowed to transfer to the Philippine National Police Custodial Center where other accused including senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. are under custody.
The Sandiganbayan initially ordered Reyes to be detained at a Quezon City Jail but the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology refused to take the high-profile detainee in, citing congestion.
Reyes also appealed yesterday to the Sandiganbayan Third Division to transfer her from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
In her motion for consideration, Reyes’ lawyers said nine female members of the New People’s Army who may have a grudge against Enrile are also detained in the same detention facility.
The plea was filed after Reyes was rushed to the Taguig Pateros District Hospital due to panic attacks and seizure. She had just been transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa from the basement jail of the Sandiganbayan.
Reyes’ camp said in the motion that Enrile, her co-accused in the cases in connection with the pork barrel scam, served as defense minister under former President Ferdinand Marcos.
“The detention of accused Reyes at the Female Dormitory of Camp Bagong Diwa with the NPA detainees, who accused Reyes will have to mingle in the common areas, poses security risks to her life and has caused her fear and contributed to her anxiety,” it says. They cited the risk as among the “compelling reasons” for her to be detained instead at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, where Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla are detained also on corruption charges.