Arroyo heads to Pampanga after therapy session

MANILA -- Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will proceed to her constituents in Lubao, Pampanga, after her therapy session at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City, Friday.

Arroyo, who is also elected representative in the second district of Pampanga, stayed overnight on Thursday at an alternative medical center owned by Dr. Antonia Park in Tagaytay City.

The former President, who is out on provisional liberty after her petition for bail was granted, headed to VMMC for physical therapy Thursday morning, her spokesman Elena Bautista-Horn said.

"The shooting pain in her leg is an offshoot of her lumbar sacral spine problem which VMMC doctors said in one of their first medical reports. She is in fact a candidate for another surgery but after three traumatic surgeries she isn't physically and emotionally ready for another surgery that's why they prescribed conservative treatment first in the form of intensive physical therapy," Horn said.

Dr. Nona Legaspi, VMMC medical director, said Arroyo should undergo therapy three times a week before her condition returns to normal.

She said the former President should use a neck brace when doing her daily routine to limit her movement. Arroyo is set to return to VMMC on Monday, July 30.

Before heading to VMMC, Arroyo visited the grave of her parents at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Horn said Arroyo is eager to visit Pampanga to "make up for lost time" after being under hospital detention in the last eight months.

It is unclear whether she will be seeking reelection in the 2013 midterm polls.

Arroyo is facing electoral sabotage charged in connection with the alleged fraud in the 2007 senatorial polls and a separate case of plunder filed before Sandiganbayan over alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence fund. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)