Court orders Arroyo's monthly medical report

Thursday, February 9, 2012

MANILA -- The Pasay City Regional Trial Court ordered Thursday a monthly medical report on the condition of former President Gloria Arroyo.

The order came after disclosure of Dr. Antonio Sison, Arroyo's attending physician at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), that the former leader may not be ready to be transferred to a regular detention cell yet.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has also agreed to have Arroyo remain at the VMMC since she is still undergoing treatment.

The Comelec earlier asked the Pasay court to ask the doctors of Arroyo if she is already fit enough to be transferred to a regular detention cell while facing her electoral sabotage case.

Last February 3, Sison said Arroyo is not yet being advised to be discharged from the VMMC since she still needs physical therapy.

Arroyo had been detained at the VMMC in Quezon City since December 9 after she was transferred from the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City.

The Pampanga representative is facing a non-bailable charge of electoral sabotage over the alleged cheating operations in the 2007 senatorial polls in Maguindanao.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes earlier said despite Arroyo's stay at the VMMC, this won't stop the Comelec from pursuing the case against her.

Arroyo's arraignment is set on February 20. (Sunnex)