MANIAL, Philippines -- The Senate is not giving Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot special treatment while detained for contempt, according to Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jose Balajadia, head of the Senate office of the sergeant at arms (OSAA).

Balajadia told newsmen Ligot is getting the same treatment as others who were similarly placed in custody for contempt, including former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Bolante who was detained during the Senate investigation of R730 million fertilizer scam.

Ligot is detained in a 12-square meter room with air-conditioning, a television that doesn’t work, and a private toilet.

Balajadia said the retired general has been cooperating with Senate personnel since he was detained Friday night. He passes the time away by reading a book.

Ligot is being guarded 24 hours a day by OSAA personnel and there is a physician assigned to him to regularly check his medical condition such as blood pressure and his blood sugar.

Balajadia said the Senate has to spend for the 24-hour electricity fed to Ligot’s room, meals, medical check-ups and for the overtime pay of personnel guarding the general.

Ligot, linked to the high-profile corruption at the AFP, is being held in contempt by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee for refusing to answer questions raised by senators, particularly Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy’’ Estrada, on issues not related to the Ligots’ forfeiture case.

The Blue Ribbon panel cited both Ligots in contempt for “improperly” invoking their right against self-incrimination in refusing to answer questions and after a Senate doctor discovered the general allegedly faked an illness to avoid attending hearings.

Although both husband and wife were ordered detained by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the detention order for Mrs. Ligot was not enforced for humanitarian reasons. She is hypertensive.

Enrile said Ligot has all the right to file a case with the Supreme Court but stressed that the Ligot couple brought to themselves their current untenable position.

Lawyer Antonio Zulueta, Ligot’s counsel, visited him yesterday to explore possible legal options for his immediate release.

Meanwhile, Sen. Teofisto L. Guingona III, Blue Ribbon committee chairman, said all Ligot has to do is to stop improperly invoking his right to self-incrimination and to answer senator’s questions when the hearings resume.

Estrada and Sen. Franklin M. Drilon pointed out that anyone improperly invoking his right against self-incrimination risks being cited for contempt by a judicial body or the Senate.

Both Enrile and Guingona admitted that Ligots’ repeated improper invocation of their right against self incrimination taxed the patience of the Senate.

Guingona said that “it is time to respect the process of the Senate.’’

Enrile had warned that the Senate would use its coercive powers against anyone trifling with the Upper Chamber as an institution of the Republic of the Philippines.

Guingona said he is calling up members of his committee to see if they could continue the hearing on Wednesday.