Friday, August 10, 2007 Guv still okay: Capitol By Ma. Ester L. Espina
AMIDST text messages circulating that Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon is gravely ill, the Provincial Capitol advised the public not to be alarmed because the rumors are false and the governor has in fact been discharged from the hospital.
The governor’s chief of staff, Attorney Jose Ma. Valencia, laughed off rumors about Marañon’s frail health saying "the governor is well and raring to go back to the province," adding that Marañon was already discharged from St. Luke's Medical Center in Metro Manila and is expected back in the province on Sunday.
Text messages and talks like the governor has lapsed into coma have been passed around prompting the Capitol to issue a medical advisory on Marañon's health status.
Valencia said the governor was diagnosed with "community acquired pneumonia" which was aggravated by his hectic schedule during the last electoral campaign.
"Notwithstanding that he had no contender, he still went around helping his candidates," Valencia said. Right after the elections, the governor had a medical check-up in Manila and was already advised to take a rest.
However, Marañon continued to be present during important functions such as the presidential visit where most noticed he looked a bit pallid and again during the visit of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.
It was then that the governor's family and friends came up with a collective decision to bring Marañon to Manila for a general check-up.
Valencia said fluid was extracted from the governor's lungs but "his biopsy was negative and his liver is okay."
Maranon's leave is until August 19 but Valencia said the governor wants to go back to the Capitol. The lawyer added however that they are convincing him to take a "full vacation" upon the advice of his doctors "because a relapse may be more dangerous."
Valencia said the governor was laughing when told about the rumors and said he might even be back in the province before Sunday to dispel the talks.
He also said the people should not worry so much because "the Province is in good hands."
