Malacañang would require an opinion from independent medical experts from which it will base its actions on the petition of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad for her “dire” medical condition as a result of the displacement of a contraption to support her weak cervical spine.
“The behavior of government has always been to get independent verification. So we need to secure that,” President Aquino’s deputy spokesman Abigail Valte said on the possibility of allowing Mrs. Arroyo to seek treatment abroad.
Dr. Roberto Anastacio, Arroyo’s cardiologist in Makati Medical Center, had said medical facilities in the country may lack the equipment to undertake the delicate procedure needed to correct the
defect in Arroyo’s condition.
“As mentioned by Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Mrs. Arroyo’s condition will have to be verified independently and the manner of such a verification will have to be discussed,” Valte said on radio.
Valte said last year, Health Secretary Enrique Ona already checked on Mrs. Arroyo on the instance of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to determine whether or not to grant Arroyo’s request to seek treatment abroad.
“I don’t know if that will still be the case but discussions will have to be made if that will still be the method of verification,” Valte said.
Valte, nevertheless, cited Philippine Medical Association (PMA) vice president Leo Olarte who said the country has “capable physicians” who can perform the surgery that may be required on Mrs. Arroyo.
Anastacio, however, had said that while local doctors have the qualifications to undertake the medical procedures on Arroyo, the equipment needed for such an operation might be lacking and can be found only in the United States and Austria.
Valte said that the claim was “something that will have to be (verified) by medical experts also.”
Anastacio said last Friday that Mrs. Arroyo seeking medical treatment abroad is necessary to address a “progressive obstruction” of a titanium plate supporting her cervical spine on vital internal parts of Mrs. Arroyo.
Anastacio said the displacement of the titanium plate posed a threat to Arroyo’s swallowing and breathing adding that the “mechanical change” in the position of the plate as beuing “aggressive”.
He said the dislocation of the upper and lower parts of the titanium plate on Arroyo’s cervical spine has the potential of making simple activities such as swallowing food fatal.
Valte refused to comment on the possible government action if the court issues a ruling to recommend the lifting of a hold departure order (HDO) on Mrs. Arroyo.
“We should not speculate since there is no appeal yet to lift the HDO. We have not received news of any moves by the camp of the former President to ask for travel authority as a result of the HDO, if I’m not mistaken, issued by the Pasay regional trial court (RTC),” she said.
But, again, that remains in the realm of speculation so let us just wait until they actually make a definitive move to ask for travel authority, Valte added.
Valte also denied that the court’s decision to allow former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos to post bail that the electoral sabotage case against him and Mrs. Arroyo is crumbling.
It’s only a petition for bail, the decision to grant bail was not done on and it’s not a judgment on the merits but the Comelec would be in a better position to tell you about the strength of their cases, Valte added.
“It’s not a final judgment on the merits; it was only a petition for bail,” she insisted.
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes explained it was only a bail hearing, just like in the case of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Brillantes believes the poll body has a strong case against Abalos. He noted they have not yet presented all the witnesses in the case.
The Comelec chief noted the recent development in the case is part of the judicial process. Brillantes said the case would have not been filed if they think they have a weak case.
The Comelec has filed election sabotage case against Abalos in connection with the alleged anomalies in the 2007 election.
On Friday, a Pasay RTC Judge allowed the former Comelec chief to post P1 million bail for his temporary liberty.
Mrs. Arroyo was discharged from the Makati Medical Center Friday noon after being brought to the hospital for a quantum CT scan on the recommendation of Anastacio to verify an initial scan showing the titanium plate had been dislocated.