Ramirez requests hospital stay extension

CEBU, Philippines - Former Medellin, Cebu mayor and current town councilor Ricardo “Ricky” Ramirez has asked the court to extend his stay at the hospital.

Ramirez, who is facing charges of possessions of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, was rushed to Bogo-Medellin Hospital and transferred to Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital last Friday after his blood pressure rose to 175/110.

Lawyer Dax Quijano, one of his legal counsels, said they had filed a motion to extend his stay before the sala of Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Marigomen of Bogo City.

Though the laboratory tests of Ramirez were already done, Quijano said the doctor has advised Ramirez to continue his confinement for monitoring.

“Wala mi nag-specificy pila ka days. Depende ra sa court,” Quijano said when asked how many days the extension would last.

He said that based on the findings of the tests, Ramirez has uncontrolled hypertension, venous insufficiency, swelling of the legs, and discoloration of the arms.

Ramirez was arrested last July 26 by operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office by virtue of a search warrant issued by Judge Jacinto Fajardo for unlicensed firearms.

Ramirez was indicted before the court after he chose not to undergo preliminary investigation to file his counter-affidavit on the accusations filed against him.

Assisted by Quijano, Ramirez 53, of Sitio Lucha, Barangay Caputatan Sur, Medellin, Cebu, manifested before State Prosecutor Jerome Abarca that he will face the charges in court.

Abarca recommended no bail against Ramirez for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and P40,000 bail for the possession of drugs paraphernalia.

Ramirez was detained at the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology facility in Medellin before he was brought to the hospital five days ago. (FREEMAN)