Officials from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have dismissed online rumors claiming Senator Jinggoy Estrada slipped and collapsed in the bathroom of the New Quezon City Jail before his recent medical check-up.
BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera clarified that Estrada suffered the injury while exiting his cell when a popping sound came from his knees. The statement addresses viral social media reports alleging the senator fell in the shower at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory.
Estrada was being transported to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan on August 26 when he experienced severe knee agony, rating the pain a 9.5 out of 10.
The senator suffers from long-standing joint effusion in both knees and osteoarthritis, a progressive condition affecting mobility.
“Accused Estrada has of late been experiencing a flare-up of persistent pain in both knees, making it acutely difficult for him to walk,” the Sandiganbayan noted.
Attired in a yellow BJMP inmate uniform and sporting facial hair, Estrada limped into the hospital showing visible discomfort. He underwent four-view knee X-rays to check for condition deterioration, as advised by his orthopedic specialist, Dr. Jose Fernando Syquia.
Dr. Syquia explained that Estrada twisted his knee while attempting to stand up inside his cell, leading to a torn meniscus.
“Napunit niya ‘yong tinawag na meniscus, that is a structure sa tuhod. Napunit niya ‘yon while he was attempting to stand. So, that should be very painful,’’ Syquia said.
The doctor noted the severe injury often requires surgery, though the final choice rests with the senator.
“We saw that it was a complete tear. It’s a pretty bad tear kasi kapag napunit ‘yong meniscus at that point, it’s as if you have no meniscus at all,’’ Syquia elaborated.