GMA’s lawyers receive court order at 12:54 p.m.
No computer, cellphones allowed in GMA’s VMMC room
MANILA, Philippines (7th UPDATE) – MANILA, Philippines (7th UPDATE) – The Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Thursday ordered former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo transferred from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.
Pasay RTC branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas said Arroyo’s transfer must be completed in 5 days. The former president is currently under hospital arrest on electoral sabotage charges.
Clerk of Court Joel Pelicano said Arroyo’s transfer could be done till next Tuesday and asked the Department of National Defense, Philippine National Police (PNP) and Southern Police District to prepare for it.
Pelicano said the judge chose VMMC for Arroyo since it has better facilities and better security. He said Judge Mupas has yet to rule on Arroyo’s request for house arrest.
Sought for reaction, Arroyo’s spokeswoman Elena Bautista-Horn said the Arroyo camp will respect the court’s decision but reiterated the former President’s request for house arrest.
“If they are really sincere that nothing will go wrong and nothing bad happens to her, the best compromise would be house arrest,” she told ANC.
“The detention of the former president is merely for custodial arrangement. She is not yet convicted.”
Arroyo’s lawyer Jose Flaminiano said they will still study if they will file a motion for reconsideration to the judge’s decision.
Arroyo’s doctor Juliet Cervantes, meanwhile, told the Pasay RTC that the former president is still suffering from colitis and diarrhea. She said the swelling in Arroyo’s colon has become more pronounced from the left side to the whole colon.
Security assessment
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said he will order the PNP to coordinate with the Armed Forces to conduct a security assessment of VMMC.
“It can be done in a day’s time. We will inform the PNP to check on Veterans and coordinate with AFP,” he said.
He said doctors at the VMMC must coordinate with Arroyo’s doctors about the transfer.
Robredo, meanwhile, said he has yet to look into Horn’s claims of a plot to harm the former president. Horn earlier said a source from a government agency said Arroyo should be careful in the food being served and the medications being administered to her.
Robredo said Horn has yet to identify her source about the operation called “Put the Little Girl to Sleep.”
He also noted that Horn seemed to be contradicting herself since she wants Arroyo placed under hospital arrest when the government is willing to take full accountability for the former president by her transfer to a public hospital.
Pasay sheriff serves transfer order
Pasay RTC Sheriff Rodelio Buenviaje served the judge’s transfer order Thursday afternoon. He said Arroyo lawyers Jose Flaminiano and Lawrence Arroyo received the order at 12:54 p.m.
In a press conference outside St. Luke’s after serving the order, Buenviaje said the order takes effect on Tuesday.
To avoid the perception of VIP treatment for the former president, he said no computer and cellphones will be allowed in Mrs. Arroyo’s room at the VMMC.
The issue of visitation rights for the former president has yet to be discussed, Buenviaje said.
He said Arroyo’s lawyers can file a motion for reconsideration before the Pasay RTC.
A Southern Police District (SPD) officer said the Philippine National Police will conduct a security assessment and prepare a security plan for the transfer and for the security arrangements at the VMMC.
In a statement, Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista Horn said “we are gratified that the court has taken cognizance of our concerns about [Arroyo’s] health and security. Her transfer to VMMC is an acceptable alternative.”
She said Arroyo will still invoke her right to choose a healthcare provider.
She added, “we will continue to rely on the professionalism and integrity of the [Philippine National Police] that has been looking after her since she was served the warrant.”
Special Action Force security
Superintendent Nestor Abalos, chief of the Quezon City Police District’s intelligence division, said the Special Action Force may be used to secure the hospital.
He said the crack police unit was used during Estrada’s hospital arrest.
“Ngayon po, baka ganoon din,” he told ANC Top Story.
Abalos said they have yet to formally inspect the hospital suite where Arroyo will be placed.
“Nagpunta kami roon to deliver a letter to [VMMC director Dr. Nona Legaspi] requesting for a coordinating conference. She granted the conference tomorrow 9 o’clock. Bukas pa lang namin pagu-usapan iyung security preparation na ilalatag namin,” he said.
He added that the hospital presidential suite’s refurbishing is still ongoing.
Abalos said police will be ready when Arroyo is transferred. “Kung ilipat na nga po roon, ready na kami.”
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Source: abs-cbnNEWS.com, Dec. 1, 2011
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