GMA needs better facilities - hospital chief

MANILA, Philippines - Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be placed in a detention area that has facilities to monitor her health, Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) director Nona Legaspi said.

Legaspi said late Friday that she is ready to testify in court about the medical condition of Arroyo.

Arroyo was transferred to the intensive care unit of the VMMC after doctors noticed a problem in her heart, described by Legaspi as ischemia or inadequate blood flow.

Legaspi said they were assuming at the moment that a blockage in the artery was what caused it but noted the former president would need more tests to determine her real condition, following the ECG performed on her.

The Sandiganbayan earlier ordered the arrest of Arroyo on charges of plunder, a non-bailable offense.

Arroyo’s lawyers appealed that she is in no condition to be detained because of her medical condition, but the anti-graft court ordered them to come up with witnesses and evidence to support their bid to have her detained at VMMC.

Legaspi, however, said no one among Arroyo’s lawyers has approached her about the matter.

“I’m willing (to testify). All those are facts. I can show (the medical) documents,” she said.

Legaspi said they would be monitoring Arroyo daily to see if she would be fit to appear in court tomorrow for her scheduled arraignment.

She said they brought Arroyo to the hospital’s ICU on Friday afternoon after the patient complained of chest pains.

“We had to act with urgency... We might be overtaken by events. We don’t want that,” she said.

Legaspi said ischemia could lead to heart attack if not addressed properly.

Bulacan Bishop Jose Oliveros, for his part, urged the faithful to offer prayers for the former president.

“She needs our prayers. May the Lord of Mercy, the Divine Healer, grant her health of soul and body,” Oliveros said.

While Arroyo is facing several legal battles, Oliveros said she still deserves compassion.

“We pray for Congresswoman Arroyo in her hour of need. We are compassionate people. In spite of all the allegations against her, she has served our country in the way she has seen it fit to govern,” he said.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes also said he hopes the 65-year-old Arroyo would get well soon.

Former Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, an Arroyo critic, said he would still insist that the former president be detained and face the charges.

And since Arroyo has become sickly, Cruz said she should be allowed to stay in the hospital.

“I think she needs all the means in the hospital to make her healthy and well again. This time, I think she is really sick... I think a hospital arrest would be better than house arrest,” Cruz said. – With Evelyn Macairan