GMA undergoes mammogram

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underwent a digital mammogram procedure at the Makati Medical Center yesterday afternoon.

The Sandiganbayan First Division approved the Pampanga lawmaker’s motion to seek a medical check-up after prosecutors posed no objection,   provided that the usual security measures and conditions be followed.

She was allowed to leave the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) to undergo a mammogram procedure because she “has a high risk of developing breast cancer because her mother had breast cancer.”

Theresa Lopez, Arroyo’s personal physician, carried out the test which could not be done at the VMMC because of lack of equipment.

Lopez had advised Arroyo to undergo the procedure.

Justices said Arroyo must shoulder all the expenses to be incurred, and that she should be under tight police guard in coordination with Sandiganbayan sheriffs.

‘Arroyo must be granted bail’

A former law dean believes Arroyo should be granted bail as her co-accused have been given provisional liberty a long time ago.

In an interview yesterday, Antonio Abad, former law dean at Far Eastern University and Adamson University, said having been charged with conspiracy in committing plunder, Arroyo should have been given provisional liberty along with her co-accused.

“She should have been granted bail a long time ago when her co-accused in the case had been granted their bail,” he said.

“Under conspiracy for which they have been charged, the act of one is the act of all, so if her co-accused were granted bail because the evidence against them is not strong, how is it that she was not given the same ruling? For me that is really legally wrong and not fair.”

Abad said Arroyo must also be allowed Christmas furlough in the spirit of compassion because of her medical condition.

“She is very frail and from what I have been hearing, it is about time that we give her a little compassion,” he said. “It is the Christmas season, it is the season to give.”