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A cardiologist from the Makati Medical Center is recommending that Ruben Ecleo Jr. undergo surgery for a heart bypass.
?One has to take this (Ecleo's health) seriously. His coronary disease might lead to a heart attack,? said Dr. Roberto Anastacio yesterday during a court hearing of Ecleo's parricide case.
Ecleo, the divine master of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), was present in the hearing on a motion to cancel his bail.
Dr. Anastacio, who had examined Ecleo, spent one and a half hours explaining his medical findings with a Powerpoint presentation and acetate slides of Ecleo?s heart.
The doctor said one of Ecleo?s major arteries in the heart has narrowed and may endanger his life.
He said Ecleo needs a coronary bypass operation to improve blood flow to the heart where there is severe blockage.
The coronary condition causes chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, and, in some cases, a heart attack can occur.
Ecleo also has an irregular heartbeat and complained of chest pains last year.
?We just wanted to make sure (that Ecleo will be fine),? Anastacio told the court.
During a bypass, a healthy artery or vein from another part of the body is connected or grafted to the blocked coronary artery to allow the new passage of oxygen-rich blood around the blockage to the heart muscle.
Ecleo, who denies charges of killing his wife Alona in Cebu City on Jan. 5, 2002, watched the proceedings in the courtroom of Regional Trial Court Judges Soliver Pereas of Branch 10 yesterday.
He appeared to have gained some weight and chewed on gum.
The next hearing on April 14 will have the prosecution cross-examining the witness.
Prosecution lawyer Fritz Quinañola told reporters later he had douts about the medical findings on Ecleo.
Quinañola showed a report from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) certifying that Ecleo is seeking a congressional seat for the lone district of San Jose, Dinagat Islands in Surigao del Norte.
Ecleo?s mother is the incumbent congresswoman of San Jose?s lone district.
?A ?walking time bomb? running as congressman?? Quinañola asked.
The prosceution wants Ecleo sent back to jail and his P1 million bail cancelled.
Ecleo was granted bail in 2004 by RTC Judge Generosa Labra of Branch 23 after the defense presented doctors who described Ecleo as a ?walking time bomb who might drop dead anytime,? because of his heart condition.
In yesterday?s hearing, Ecleo sat between his mother, Glenda, and his sister Gwendolyn, who is the incumbent mayor of Dinagat Islands.
Gwendolyn became emotional during the doctor?s testimony.
?Who would not cry if you know that your brother is dying? I hope what happens to us will not happen to others,? Gwendolyn said.
Around 20 PBMA members were also present in the Palace of Justice.
The brothers of the victim?Ricky, Niño, and Josebil?were also present during the hearing.
They were accompanied by members of the Crusade Against Violence.
