No need for Noy to visit GMA – Palace

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino does not see the need to visit former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) where she is held without bail, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. stressed there was nothing personal about the cases filed against Arroyo.

“The President strongly believes that the law has to take its course and that accountability must be exacted. The President holds no ill will against the former president,” he said.

Coloma earlier said Arroyo’s meeting with former presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada must have been good.

“We are certain that in their meeting, the two former presidents exchanged mutual compliments and messages of friendship and goodwill,” he said.

Estrada, now mayor of Manila, visited Arroyo at her VMMC suite while Ramos had a chat with her last month after playing golf at the hospital’s golf course.

Arroyo is facing various charges, including plunder and electoral sabotage filed under the Aquino administration.