The mother of detained Sen. Leila de Lima has coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and severe pneumonia, and suffered a heart attack.
This was contained in the manifestation submitted by the senator to two Muntinlupa courts after she was able to talk to Norma Magistrado de Lima, her 89-year-old mom who is confined at the NICC Doctors Hospital in Naga City.
On Feb. 3, the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branches 256 and 204 granted De Lima’s request to have an online video conference call with her ailing mother.
Together with the manifestation, the senator also submitted a medical certificate issued by the hospital where her mother has been confined since Feb. 2.
The doctor’s findings showed Mrs. De Lima has COVID-19, severe pneumonia, Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) and Hypertensive Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (HASCVD).
According to the website of the Cleveland Clinic in the US, “A non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack that usually happens when your heart’s need for oxygen can’t be met. This condition gets its name because it doesn’t have an easily identifiable electrical pattern (ST elevation) like the other main types of heart attacks.”
Sen. De Lima’s mom tested positive for COVID-19 last Jan. 10 and “had taken a turn for the worse last 1 February 2022, necessitating her transfer from Villanueva-Tanchuling Maternity and General Hospital in Iriga City to the NICC Doctors Hospital in Naga City on 2 February 2022, since the former medical facility did not have an ICU facility,” according to the manifestation.
After the Muntinlupa courts granted her request, Sen. De Lima was able to have an online video conference call with her mother on Feb. 3 from a room at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame where the lawmaker has been detained since 2017.
“Accused De Lima was able to see her ailing mother who was in and out of consciousness during the call, which lasted for less than an hour, during which she was able to see and hear, but hardly able to talk to her who, for a couple of brief instances, was able to recognize Accused De Lima,” the manifestation stated.
The senator thanked the courts for allowing her to have a video call with her mother.
“Again, this Manifestation is being filed with utmost gratitude for the prompt action taken by the Honorable Court, given the condition and advanced age of Accused’s mother. The Honorable Court acted justly and humanely, with due regard to humanitarian considerations and the urgency and precariousness of the situation,” according to the document.