Hocson, Erap doctor, dies at 55

MANILA, Philippines – The personal doctor of former President Joseph Estrada and his ailing 102-year-old mother Mary Ejercito died of a heart attack last Thursday.

Dr. Lorenzo Hocson, a cousin of Estrada, died at 11:55 p.m. the other day. He was 55.

Before his death, he had dinner with former senator Robert Jaworski at a seafood restaurant in Greenhills near Estrada’s residence at North Greenhills subdivision in San Juan City.

The doctor reportedly complained of chest pains and was rushed to the San Juan Medical Center at around 10 p.m.

Angel Javier, a niece of Hocson, confirmed that the physician suffered a heart attack.

Hocson had served as director of San Juan Medical Center since its establishment in 1995 and had been attending to all the medical needs of the Estrada family for a long time. He was also a medical consultant at the Makati Medical Center.

He later became the personal spokesman for Estrada and his mother on their health conditions.

In a press statement, San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito expressed grief over the death of his grandmother’s doctor.

Earlier, Hocson had announced that the Estrada matriarch was not doing well and they were only trying to prolong her life.

 “We are deeply saddened over the demise of Dr. Hocson. He is not only a colleague in the local government, but also a good friend who had taken care of our family, especially President Estrada and my grandmother,” Ejercito said.

Hocson graduated from the Far Eastern University with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1973 and later a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1977.

He is survived by his wife Ma. Pilar Revilla and children Erika Mariana, 18; Martin Lorenzo, 16; and Santiago Augusto, 13.

His body lies at the St. Joseph Chapel of the St. John the Baptist Parish on Pinaglabanan, San Juan City.

Estrada arrived Thursday night from Hong Kong and condoled with the doctor’s family.

The date of Hocson’s interment is yet to be announced by his family.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano