Overseas medical treatment for former president gains bipartisan support

NONE of her colleagues in the House of Representatives opposed medical treatment abroad for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose condition has not been improving despite the three operations on her problematic spine at St. Lukes Medical Center-Global City in Taguig City.

But Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said Mrs. Arroyo, now a Pampanga congresswoman, should come back to the country the moment her condition improves.

“Well, it is a possibility that she could seek medical treatment abroad if needed. But she should come back to face charges. If she does not, that’s a sign of guilt,” said Ilagan.

Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. said he does not “buy” allegations that Mrs. Arroyo will use her possible treatment abroad to evade prosecution from the string of plunder and criminal complaints against her.   

“It is perfectly okay for her to seek the best medical treatment here or abroad and she should,” said Belmonte.

Because her local doctors apparently failed to make her better, Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo said she cannot blame Mrs. Arroyo for seeking treatment abroad.

“An accused prior to conviction is given the right to travel, especially for medical reasons. I will not blame GMA for seeking treatment abroad considering what she has gone through with her current doctors,” said Quimbo.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep. Sherwin Tugna said “as long as the doctors who will give their medical findings and recommendations for GMA to go abroad are doctors with integrity, we have no choice but to allow medical treatment abroad.”

Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez said Mrs. Arroyo’s true condition may be ascertained by government doctors who surely will not make a false assessment.