RUMOR, REVEALS GMA IS IN BAD SHAPE
[Photo
- Sen. JP Enrile: 26th President of the Senate of the Philippines. Incumbent
]
MANILA,
NOVEMBER 16,
2011 (TRIBUNE) Former President and now Pampanga Rep.
Gloria Arroyo is really very sick, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile bared
yesterday.
The Senate leader disclosed to reporters that he visited Arroyo in her La
Vista, Quezon City residence a week ago and said the former president's
condition would make it difficult for her to stage her alleged "escape plan" to
the Dominican Republic.
Enrile's colleagues, however, remain split on the issue of allowing Arroyo to
seek further medical attention abroad, with one Senate leader even backing the
call for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to quit her Cabinet position or issue
an apology for her pronouncements on Arroyo's supposed plan to seek political
asylum in the Dominican Republic.
"How will she abscond with that condition? It would be silly for her to do
that. First, she will lose everything. She will be a pariah in this country if
she absconds. Where will she go? Now, should she decide to go abroad, you can
always cancel her passport and work diplomatically with the country and bring
her back," Enrile pointed out.
"Personally, I do not think she will abscond," he said. He said "I can say
that she is really very sick," he said based on his two hour visit.
Enrile said he had inquired with some specialists about Arroyo's condition
and was told that if the braces she's wearing would snap off and or if something
happens, "she can die anytime."
Arroyo was in fact reticent in discussing the operations she went through
earlier although Enrile said he was told by other people that the three medical
procedures were not successful.
"How can you say that the person is not sick? There are a number of bone
specialists here but do they have full diagnostic capability?" he asked.
"But she's really weak. She's very pale. Her lips are very dull, very pale,"
he said, in narrating what he described as a social visit.
Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., a political ally of Arroyo, urged the Department of
Justice (DoJ) to reconsider its decision. "It would do more harm than good if
her condition worsens here in the country. There are no cases filed against her
that will legally impede her from travelling abroad," Revilla stressed.
Enrile said it's within the rights of De Lima to issue an apology or not to
the Arroyos although the DoJ should have exercised caution in handling the
information.
"It's also within the rights of the Arroyos to ask for an apology. It's
understandable if they think they were aggrieved party. We're not talking
justice in asking for an apology," he said.
"If I were in their (Malacañang) position, the former president is sick and
if it involves life and death, use your discretion. That's common sense. You
should be in favor of protecting and saving the life of the person," The Senate
chief stressed.
Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, for his part, criticized De Lima for using
as a basis a text message she received, pointing out that the DoJ secretary
could easily validate this first to the Philippine embassy office or the
Department of Foreign Affairs before making it public.
Asked by reporters if he's backing the Arroyo camp, Sotto said he is. "If you
believe text message and not verify it, you owe a public apology. She erred. As
a public servant, when we commit that, we should say sorry and admit our mistake
and not stand ground on it," he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson agreed that De Lima should have exercised prudence
although he supports her position in banning the travel abroad of Arroyo.
"That's the problem when you deal with media too much. I hope she learns her
lessons, at least she's in hot water at least from the camp of Mrs. Arroyo. She
should be more prudent this time," he said. Angie M. Rosales
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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