GMA offered foreign docs

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday offered to fly in foreign doctors to treat former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the country and even shoulder her medical expenses in a bid to ensure she will face charges in court.

However, the camp of former President Arroyo rejected the offer. The President also expressed willingness to hold a dialogue with his predecessor despite suspicions on her motive to leave the country, saying he still wishes the speedy recovery of the former leader.

Aquino offered to foot the hospitalization of Arroyo after he supported the decision of the Department of Justice (DoJ) to deny her request to seek medical treatment abroad due to concerns she might not return.

“We have no intention except for justice. In recognition of Mrs. Arroyo’s right to personally choose doctors to treat her, we can fly in specialists or doctors from any part of the world to conduct her medical examination,” Aquino said in Filipino during a press conference in the Palace.

“If needed, we are ready to foot the medical expenses of Mrs. Arroyo. We will do this to make sure that any accused will face the court and justice will prevail,” he added.

Mrs. Arroyo’s spokeswoman Elena Bautista-Horn said the issue on whether Mrs. Arroyo should be allowed to seek treatment abroad has become more than just a medical issue.

“It is no longer a medical issue, but a legal issue because the watch-list order does not only infringe upon her right to travel, but also on the rights of every citizen,” Horn said.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said the decision of De Lima to deny Arroyo’s request to travel abroad, even if she cited lack of immediate necessity, violated the former President’s right.

Insisting her supposed illness could be treated at home, the President said he found suspicious that Arroyo chose to travel to countries that have no extradition treaty with the Philippines, insisting her supposed illness could be treated at home.

Aquino also questioned why Arroyo frequently changed her proposed travel itinerary while facing complaints of poll sabotage that are non-bailable offenses.

He insisted that DoJ’s ruling to bar Arroyo from traveling abroad was reasonable because the former leader must face the arraignment if it reaches that point. Apart from plunder charges filed by private groups, Arroyo, who reportedly suffers a bone mineral deficiency, faces a preliminary probe for alleged involvement in electoral sabotage in 2007.

“We wish for the speedy recovery of Mrs. Arroyo. But if I will ask you: If we will let an accused facing non-bailable offenses to travel abroad to countries that have no extradition treaty with the Philippines supposedly to get treatment that can be made here, will justice prevail?,” the President said. Arroyo, however, has yet to be charged for the offenses leveled against her.

“What is more important? The interest of the majority or interest of one person? The guarantee that justice will take its course or the probable treatment that can be found in the country?” he asked.

Aquino also asserted that he has nothing personal against Arroyo, citing his readiness to meet his predecessor any time.

Horn said the camp of Mrs. Arroyo appreciates the solicitude of Mr. Aquino’s government for Mrs. Arroyo’s health, but there have been events that elevated the issue beyond the personal interests of Mrs. Arroyo.

Aquino also found strange Arroyo’s petition to nullify the watch-list order against her before the Supreme Court, saying the Memorandum Circular No. 41, the basis of the DoJ decision, was actually passed during her administration.

Last Tuesday, Arroyo filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the watch-list order.

Asked if the case against Arroyo will be pursued this month, Aquino said the government will follow due process in this matter.

“In the interest of fairness, the panel of prosecutors cannot have a resolution without giving the accused a chance to defend herself. We are following all the requirements of the law,” he added.

Aquino also said he would ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to check if Arroyo has applied for any political asylum in any country.

Colmenares criticized the DoJ, citing the indecisiveness of government prosecutors to take legal action against the former leader. He demanded for a court-ordered hold-departure order against Mrs. Arroyo.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the executive branch is prepared to defend its case against Arroyo’s foreign travel before the Supreme Court.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said they leave to the Supreme Court whether to allow Mrs. Arroyo to travel abroad.

Toward the end of his statement, Aquino stated that his government is determined to end the cycle of anomalies every elections in the country. He claimed that it was time to shed led light on alleged cheating in the previous elections in order to return the credibility of the electoral system.

Last Tuesday, De Lima denied the request of Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad while she faces poll sabotage charges. She claimed that Arroyo’s condition was not life threatening and she has been recovering well.

De Lima also lashed out at her critics who accused her of having double standards.

Ona had earlier said Arroyo remains in good health condition after he visited the former leader in her residence. He also asserted that Arroyo can get treatment for her bone deficiency in the country.

Genalyn Kabiling & David Cagahastian, Manila Bulletin