GMA cancels return to Lubao

MANILA, Philippines – After more than four years in detention, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to visit her hometown of Lubao, but this will have to wait for now.

Arroyo last night canceled her planned return to Lubao after suffering fatigue following a battery of tests at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.

She will instead visit Lubao after she attends President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

Arroyo, 69, was released from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Thursday, two days after the Supreme Court (SC) acquitted her of plunder charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan.

From the VMMC, she proceeded first to her house in La Vista, Quezon City. But that same night, she had herself admitted to St. Luke’s Medical Center for an executive check-up.

“Some tests were done last night and the others were done today,” former justice secretary Agnes Devanadera said in a text message.

Devanadera, a former member of the Arroyo Cabinet, said blood tests showed the lawmaker had high cholesterol “that bears watching.” The results of other tests have not yet come out.

Arroyo was expected to be discharged last night and proceed to La Vista.

A member of her staff said she would rest overnight and proceed to Lubao on Sunday.

GMA to attend Duterte’s SONA

Devanadera said Arroyo would attend President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday despite her health condition.

“She wants to start to resume working full-time as soon as possible,” a senior congressional staff member said. 

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said Arroyo would be “a major asset” in Congress, especially in the field of economics and social agenda.  

Former president Fidel Ramos on Wednesday said Arroyo would also be a welcome presence in the National Security Council, which includes all living former presidents as members, once Duterte convenes the body.

‘GMA won’t get back at her tormentors’

Devanadera also said that Arroyo was not inclined to get back at her tormentors by filing cases against them.

“She is not that kind of person,” Devanadera told GMA news.

“What’s important for her is for her to be able to work as soon as possible,” she said.

Arroyo was acquitted of charges of conspiracy to plunder P366 million in funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) since her alleged co-conspirators were freed due to lack of evidence, the SC said. 

She was detained at the VMMC because she had a degenerative bone disease affecting her spine.

Compensation for unlawful detention

Arroyo can also ask the government for compensation for unlawful detention, according to her lawyer, former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza.

“(There is) no greater injury or suffering than for a person to be imprisoned, to be detained. Remember if one is imprisoned, time lost in prison can never be recovered… Time lost is lost forever. Logically, there should be a basis for compensation but that is up to her whether she can claim or not,” Mendoza told reporters yesterday.

Arroyo may feel it is better that history be the judge rather than cause more disturbance to a troubled country, he said. “I do not want to make judgments, it is for her to decide,” he said. 

Mendoza also expressed dismay over the statement of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales that another case against Arroyo is being readied by her office for filing following Arroyo’s release. 

“Very dismaying if not shocking. I think there is nothing more oppressive. The subject of the new charge is disbursement of funds that took place earlier before this (PCSO) case. Why did she not file it earlier?” Mendoza said. – With Mike Frialde, Robertzon Ramirez