FORMER President now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is really sick and “might die” the moment her vertebrae snaps if the braces supporting her spine are removed.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile underscored the former president’s delicate condition yesterday a week after seeing Arroyo when he paid her a “social visit” at her house in La Vista village. 

“I saw her to be very sick. May brace siya. The doctors told me kapag mawalwala ‘yung  brace na ‘yun, at mag-snap she can die anytime,” Enrile said in a chance interview.  He noted that Arroyo underwent at least three operations.

“I heard from other people that the operation was not successful. Una inoperahan, nilagyan ng mga turnilyo yung kanyang vertebrae, tapos nahulog ‘yung mga turnilyo. Then they had to open (her up) to put, I think some strap to keep the vertebrae together and let it heal. And then they reopen it again and then put a graft something there. And then the graft is working,” he said.

He added: “So how can you say that person is not sick? Maraming bone specialist dito. Pero meron na ba silang diagnostic capability? Kung nagpapa-opera ka nga eh you ask two, three opinions of doctors.”

Asked whether Arroyo was bubbly when he saw her, Enrile said: “With all the braces, brace dito, strap dito, may brace dito, may brace sa katawan at kung tumingin ganun, parang si Robocop eh, I don’t think you can say she is in high spirits (in that condition).”

He said that the former president did not ask for any help. “Wala naman.  Pina-meryenda lang ako. Pero mahina s’ya. She’s very pale. I commented, Madamme President you look anemic. Her lips are very dull, very pale.”

Enrile believes that Arroyo is in pain. “I think you have to admire her for her tenacity. Personally, I don’t think she would abscond. How can she abscond with that condition. It would be silly for her to do that,” he said. 

“She will lose everything. She will be a pariah in this country if she would abscond. Saan s’ya pupunta? Ngayon kung pupunta s’ya sa ibang lugar, you can always cancel her passport and work diplomatically with that country to bring her back,” the Senate head said.