Hearing on Arroyo's transfer order set Monday

THE Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) is set to hear Monday the request of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to defer her transfer to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.

Arroyo’s lawyers have asked the court to set the hearing for their motion Monday. The Pasay RTC expects the Arroyo camp to heed the court's order by Tuesday, without any extension.

Arroyo's lawyers have asked the Pasay RTC branch 112 under Judge Jesus Mupas to give the former President few more days or until her doctors at the St. Luke's Medical Center release their latest report on her health condition.

The former leader has been confined at the Taguig City hospital due to hypoparathyroidism, a mineral bone disease, and colitis.

The Pasay court ordered Thursday the Philippine National Police and the Department of National Defense to prepare for the transfer of Arroyo, now a Pampanga lawmaker, to the VMMC.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told reporters Sunday that the Arroyo family has been preparing for the former President's transfer to the government-run medical facility.

Arroyo's predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was once detained at the VMMC during the trial stage of his plunder case.

Arroyo has been placed under police custody after she was charged with electoral sabotage, a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment. (AH/Sunnex)