President Estrada rushed to hospital

President Estrada rushed to hospital

MANILA (Agencies): President Joseph Estrada was taken to hospital on Tuesday where tests found painful gallstones and high cholesterol levels, but doctors ruled out surgery and instead ordered him to go on a diet.

Estrada, 63, canceled his morning engagements to undergo x- ray, electrocardiogram and blood tests at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center here on Tuesday, a day after he was seen grimacing and clutching at his abdomen, when he had to take painkillers.

During celebrations on Monday marking Philippine Independence Day, Estrada appeared to be in pain and pressed his hand against his right side several times. He read his speeches with little emotion and stuck closely to the text.

He was back to his normal working schedule by Tuesday afternoon, aides said.

The president underwent tests on his heart, liver, abdominal area and kidney. The tests found nothing out of the ordinary except gallstones and a high level of cholesterol, his personal physician Lorenzo Hocson told reporters.

Estrada was advised to go on a diet to control his cholesterol level and take anti-spasmodic and enzyme medicine for the gallstones, Hocson added.

Tests found "about four to five" gallstones measuring between one and 1.2 centimeters (0.40 to 0.48-inches) in diameter in the bladder, Hocson said.

"Now we're one in saying that the pain was mainly due to the gallstones."

"That can be taken care of through diet," he stressed. "No need for surgery."

"I know that the health of the president is a matter of national concern," presidential spokesman Ricardo Puno told reporters.

Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said: "If there is a big problem, we will be open about it. That cannot be hidden from the public."

Except for arthritis and an eye problem which required surgery last year, Estrada has no known serious ailments. But he is a smoker and has admitted to heavy drinking when he was a film star.