Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 27) — The Sandiganbayan has directed the camp of former Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) head Zenaida Ducut to explain why the court should not reverse its earlier decision to suspend her graft trial due to her supposed mental incapacity.
The anti-graft court’s 7th division said Ducut failed to comply with its order for her to submit the results of her yearly mental evaluation supporting her dementia diagnosis.
\”The two-page NCMH (National Center for Mental Health) report submitted by accused Ducut merely stated that Ducut was ‘seen and examined’ last 8 February 2023. It was not accompanied by copies of the results of medical tests supporting the report/conclusion,\” the court said in a resolution dated July 25.
The Sandiganbayan earlier archived Ducut’s cases indefinitely as doctors confirmed she is suffering from dementia, rendering her unfit to face trial.
However, Ducut was required to undergo medical evaluation and submit the results to the court yearly.
For her compliance this year, the court found the document submitted by Ducut to be insufficient as it only stated the examination was based on history, observations, and psychological test.
\”Considering the evaluation is supposed to be on a yearly basis, it fails to specify what tests were conducted this year to support the indicated assessment and remarks,\” the court said.
Ducut is facing corruption charges over her involvement in the alleged misuse of former Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino Biazon’s pork barrel in 2007.
