Press Release
March 13, 2018

De Lima in good spirits during medical check-up

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima was in good spirits when she underwent a medical examination for a liver mass at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) in Quezon City last March 12.

In his Facebook post, Vicente "Vicboy" de Lima, the Senator's youngest brother, recalled how he, and his eldest brother, Dr. Vicente "Nonoy" de Lima Jr., stood by their sister's side while they were inside the CT-MRI Section of the PHC.

"While she was inside the CT scan room for the test, I prayed holding her favorite wooden cross. After the test, we had an hour to talk and laugh, while surrounded by ever-vigilant security contingent of the PNP. She is in good spirits," he said. De Lima underwent a CT Scan of the liver to check whether the lump discovered in her liver is harmless or risky for her health. She arrived at the PHC around 3PM, and stayed only in the hospital for about one hour and a half before returning to Camp Crame.

"There is nothing to worry about. This is just part of a routine medical check-up to determine if I should go through an operation to avoid any complications," she said in an official statement read by her chief of staff, Atty. Fhillip Sawali.

In an Order issued last March 6, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branches 205 and 206 granted a one-day medical forlough for De Lima to allow her to undergo a CT Scan available in the nearest government hospital.

In her statement, De Lima narrated that how during a routine and periodic medical examination last Feb. 15, her physician ordered her to immediately undergo "CT Scan (tri-phase) of the liver" due to a finding of an impression of a "liver mass."

Apparently, she continued, the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital does not have the equipment to do a CT scan examination on the Senator.

Vicboy de Lima also commended the doctors, nurses and technicians who attended to the Senator, saying they all "did a good job." He likewise confirmed that the results of the CT scan will be out today.

Prior to the medical examination, the Senator from Bicol already vowed to inform the public about the result of her examination while assuring them that she will not let her health get in the way of fulfilling her mandate as a sitting Senator of the Republic.

"Sa nakalipas na mahigit isang taon na ako po ay nasa piitan dulot ng panggigipit ng rehimeng Duterte, nilimitahan man ang aking kilos, akin pa ring ginagampanan ang tungkulin ko bilang Senador. At bilang bahagi ng pananagutan ko bilang lingkod-bayan, agad ko pong ipagbibigay alam sa publiko ang resulta ng nasabing medical examination ukol sa estado ng aking kalusugan," she said.

"Makakaasa po kayo, patuloy kong haharapin ang mga imbentong kaso laban sa akin. Patuloy ko ring gagawin ang aking obligasyon para sa kapakanan at karapatan ng ating mga kababayan," she added.

De Lima, who is currently detained at the PNP-Custodial Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City over trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the Duterte administration, asked the Filipino people to pray for her in these challenging times.

News Latest News Feed