FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may end up paralyzed or suffering from stroke if doctors fail to control the infection in her spine.

Mrs. Arroyo’s lawyer, Raul Lambino, said doctors at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig advised the former President to seek treatment either in the United States or Singapore if her infection worsens.

“Sabi ng mga doctors kapag hindi iyan naayos at lumala ang infection, maaaring umabot ‘yan sa utak niya at magkaroon siya ng meningitis at complete paralysis o umabot ‘yan sa puso at magkakaroon siya ng stroke,” he said.

However, Lambino said Mrs. Arroyo is not likely to follow her doctors because she doesn’t want people to think that she is using her ailment as an excuse to escape the plunder and criminal complaints filed against her.

“Sinasabi niya, ‘kapag ako umalis sa bansa, sasabihin nila tinatakbuhan ko itong accusations against me.’ To the extent of maybe putting her life in danger,” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo is closely being monitored after doctors discovered an infection following a delicate operation on her cervical spine. They scheduled another surgery after the titanium implant that would have supported her neck was dislodged.

Malacañang however said it is up to the Department of Justice if it will allow Mrs. Arroyo to leave.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. said Mrs. Arroyo should heed the advice of her doctors. “It’s not bad to seek (second) opinion (abroad).”

House Deputy Minority Leader and Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay agreed with Baguilat.

Magsaysay scored critics of Mrs. Arroyo for claiming that seeking medical attention abroad is tantamount to evading all the complaints against her.

“This government does things as it pleases no matter what the consequences are,” said Magsaysay.