Makati Medical Center doctors have strongly advised that former President Corazon C. Aquino stay in her hospital room so she could immediately get medical attention when needed as she has been weakened further by the spread of her colon cancer to the liver, Sen. Benigno Simeon”Noynoy” Aquino III said Monday.

Talking to Senate reporters after the opening of the third and last regular session of the 14th Congress at the Senate building, Aquino said that the family had planned to take his mother home as she has been weakened further by pain generated by the spread of her cancer ailment.

Senator Aquino said his mother is asleep most of the time, because her doctors have given her “very strong pain medication and sedative.” She is also being fed intravenously.

‘’She was resting comfortably and I guess unfortunately the pain medication is not compatible with her nutrition they were giving her previously.

They had to change it, unfortunately few calories,” he said. The young Aquino was not categorical in answering a query when was the last time he and his mother talked, but observers stated that their last conversation could be about four days ago.

He, however, tried to make a sober assessment of his mother’s medical condition by stating that there has been ‘’no dramatic changes that will warrant apprehension (as) my sister did mention this (colon cancer is not at) stage 4 and there are other organs that had been affected.’’

‘’Two weeks ago they (doctors) were thinking of putting her back on the chemotherapy regimen. Unfortunately, because of her weakened state, that was not advisable at this point,’’ he said.

‘’Unless she improves, chemotherapy cannot be considered. They don’t know whether it will be beneficial or it might do more harm,’’ he added.

Asked about the former President’s vital signs, Senator Aquino replied ‘’OK naman, she is stable.. no erratic changes hour to hour or even on daily basis.’’

‘’Most of time she is asleep. That is the side effect of the pain medication, to a higher level of pain management. We are told that she will be getting the message (from members of the family) in a sub-conscious level. We talk to her, she responds,’’ he explained.

The son of the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. told reporters that catheter has been applied on his 76-year-old mother who has been at the hospital for the past month.

To prevent her from having bed sores, Mrs. Aquino had to be moved side to side every hour, he said.

Meanwhile, novena masses continue at the Makati City as the local government started Monday the nine-day devotion for the People Power icon, attended by more than 200 city hall employees.

Although Mayor Jejomar Binay was not around, the mass started at about 7:45 am at the city hall quadrangle that was decorated with yellow ribbons to show their support for the ailing former President Corazon Aquino.

“President Cory and her family need our prayers. This is the opportunity for us to implore God’s divine intervention, and to be inspired by the former president’s selfless dedication to God, to our nation and people, and to family,” Binay said in his statement.

The local chief executive also urges Makati residents and the general public to attend the masses. Starting Tuesday, the Mass starts at 12 noon at the building lobby.