MANILA - One of the nine students of Juan Sumulong High School in Cubao, Quezon City who were allegedly poisoned after eating macapuno candies Thursday remains in critical condition, hospital authorities said Friday.

According to Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) medical officer Dr. Jojo Mercado, they are strictly monitoring the condition of the 16-year-old female patient who remains in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU).

Mercado said the patient, who reportedly consumed 3 packs or a total of 36 pieces of the tainted macapundo candy, is still experiencing irregular heart rate.

The 8 other students, meanwhile, are now in better condition and have been moved from the ICU to the pediatric ward.

They may be discharged from the hospital by Saturday afternoon.



The students' hospital fees will be covered by PhilHealth.

Assistant Health Secretary Elmer Punzalan on Thursday said the students vomited and complained of stomach pains after consuming free samples of macapuno candies given by a vendor from Calauan, Laguna.

Authorities are looking at organophosphate, a chemical found in pesticides, as the cause of the poisoning.

Blood test results from the Philippine General Hospital are expected to come out Saturday. -- Reports from Robert Mano, dzMM; Jeck Batallones, ABS-CBN News