MANILA, Philippines - The lawyers of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have not yet asked the Sandiganbayan to allow the Pampanga lawmaker to seek medical treatment abroad.
Retired Manila fiscal Jose Flaminiano, one of Arroyo’s legal counsels, said their client is undergoing more evaluations and physical examinations to determine if she would have to seek the help of foreign experts. “We’ll see to it that we have a strong case before filing a motion for her to travel abroad,” he said.
Flaminiano spoke to reporters after attending pre-trial proceedings at the Sandiganbayan on the graft charges against Arroyo in relation to the national broadband network (NBN) deal.
“We have not really talked about that,” he said. “We will probably study our options but right now we don’t have any plans on filing anything for the travel abroad.”
Flaminiano said they take cognizance of those in Congress who are sympathetic to the plight of Arroyo.
“The President is undergoing evaluation and physical examination and I think that there are conferences scheduled with the physicians to talk about the medical condition of the former president.”
After the pre-trial hearing yesterday, the Sandiganbayan scheduled the first hearing dates for the NBN deal graft case against Arroyo on Nov. 7 and 8.
The Office of the Ombudsman’s decision to file plunder charges against Arroyo for alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds is still under appeal.
At the House of Representatives, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez proposed yesterday that Malacañang and Arroyo’s camp agree on a common set of doctors who would give a medical assessment on her condition.
“The unanimous findings of both the government hospital and the private hospital regardless of party affiliation and political leanings, agree that their patient is afflicted by critical and possibly fatal conditions that require immediate attention and urgent responsive and effective treatment,” he said.
Suarez made the suggestion to put an end to the repeated medical bulletins of government and private doctors that the Pampanga lawmaker is in a life-threatening condition.
Some have recommended another corrective surgery abroad.
Malacañang spokespersons said they want an objective medical assessment.
Suarez also filed House Resolution 2681 for the House of Representatives to ask concerned government agencies and the courts to assist in helping Arroyo, who is in “dire need of medical assistance.”
The resolution did not mention that Arroyo should seek medical treatment abroad.
Arroyo is barred from going abroad due to the plunder and electoral cases she is facing in the Sandiganbayan and the Pasay City regional trial court.
Dr. Roberto Anastacio of the Makati Medical Center said Arroyo risks “sudden death” as the titanium implants in her neck have moved and are slowly blocking her airways and esophagus.