Marcos Leaving Hospital Today; Tests to Influence Court Travel
Deposed Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos was scheduled to go home today after more than a week in the hospital, an attorney said.
Attorney John Bartko said final tests were conducted Saturday, and three doctors have been retained to review the results of Marcos’ stay at St. Francis Medical Center.
The doctors are expected to provide evidence to a New York federal court that Marcos is too ill to travel there for arraignment on fraud and racketeering charges, Bartko said.
Marcos, 71, was hospitalized Dec. 10 after reportedly suffering chest pains. Doctors said he suffers from weakened heart muscles.
Marcos faces charges in New York of plundering his nation’s economy during his 20-year rule and stashing some of the money in the United States.
He was to be arraigned in New York, but he and his lawyers contend he is too frail to make the 10-hour flight. A court-appointed doctor concluded that he did have medical problems but not enough to prevent him from traveling.
Marcos’ wife, Imelda, has pleaded innocent to the same charges and is free on bail. The couple have lived in exile here since 1986.
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