Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Judge rushed to the hospital from his chamber
REGIONAL Trial Court Branch 14 Judge Rafael Yrastorza Sr. was rushed to the hospital yesterday after he vomited blood while studying cases inside his chamber.
Yrastorza, 61, is said to be suffering from ulcer.
Tito Capangpangan, court sheriff, said Yrastorza arrived early yesterday morning. The judge, however, refused to attend the flag ceremony saying he did not feel well.
Minutes after the ceremony downstairs, Ca-pangpangan said they received a phone call from the judge’s daughter, asking them to help her father.
Capangpangan said it was possible that the judge called his family on his cellular phone, since asking his staff for help would have been more difficult as their offices are far from his.
Judge Yrastorza was half-conscious when his staff found him sitting in his chair with blood all over his chest.
This was not the first time that Yrastorza was rushed to hospital by his staff.
Years ago, the judge suffered a mild stroke inside his chamber.
Yesterday, the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation brought the judge to Chong Hua Hospital.
A report from radio dyAB said Yrastorza will be transferred to the intensive care unit of the Perpetual Succor Hospital.
The judge may undergo blood transfusion because of his low blood pressure.
The incident did not disrupt the court proceedings, as there was no scheduled hearing for the day because of the ongoing inventory of cases.
Yrastorza is handling the case against the suspected Abu Sayyaf member who was caught with explosives on board a Manila-bound ship last year.
He was also the judge who sentenced to death three men for their role in the kidnapping of businessman Regan King in 1998. (KNT)
