Should former President Gloria Arroyo be allowed to leave the country?
By aaronfyzeon
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
Philippines
December 29, 2011 3:51am CST
The former president of the Philippines wants to leave the country to seek medical treatment. After much speculation and debate and despite former president and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's (GMA) assurance that she will return toe the country to face all charges against her, Justice Department Secretary Leila De Lima has handed down the verdict -- GMA's request to travel overseas to seek further medical treatment on her hypoparathyroid disorder, bone mineral deficiency and cervical spine problem has been denied.
De Lima consulted medical experts in the Philippines, including Health Secretary Enrique Ona, who said that GMA is in no immediate danger and that her condition is not life-threatening. Ona also asserted that the Philippines is not lacking in medical experts who can attend to her care and treatment.President Aquino supported the decision of De Lima. He even offered to ask a medical specialist to fly in for GMA's medical treatment, whose services will be paid for by the Philippine government -- a proposition which the Arroyo camp rejected.
Certainly, it strengthens the people's perception on the real reason for the request to travel. This adds up to all these concerns. Is she going abroad to be treated or is there any other reason why she is going abroad? Having rejected it, again, one wonders, what is the real reason for traveling abroad?
4 responses
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
For sure, nobody wants to be incarcerated even if it becomes a house arrest later on. Joseph Estrada endured a lot of difficulties when he was arrested and tried on the courts of law. If GMA is allowed to go out of the country, there will always be the possibility of seeking political asylum in another country. If she goes on trial for the cases filed against her in this country, media attention will consistently be on her. The government will again forget the most pressing needs of the economy. There will always be pros and cons but the most that we can do is watch out for the next series of events. This is like a telenovela unfolding before our eyes.
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
She is now getting what she has done to Pres. Joseph Estrada. Even much worse! It is really worth waiting for what will happen next! We will definitely know what is Justice here in the Philippines as we wait and see what the verdict would be.
@taki_takaishi (1279)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
The answer to that question is NO..
For me she is just faking it. 7 years (I don't remember how long she was in the President seat) in the President position then a few months later declare she has a disease that cannot be cured when news and evidences starting to pop out already? And besides, if she really is sick and has that wouldn't it strain the body travelling abroad? When you can just hire whoever doctor is out there because she has the money..
She is just making excuses that is for sure.
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
You are right! I remember how it is to travel on the airplane! much convenient than any other type of travel. But then it will involve stress and a lot of aberration. With her situation and condition just like that I bet it will not be good for her to travel! She really wants to evade all the charges against her by going out of the country and never go back here! She is really filthy rich and can do whatever she wants if she's out for sure.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
I think the former president is now incapable of leaving the country even for a medical reason because of the series action taken against her by the current government. It was proved that she cannot leave the country and she’s not moving anytime soon because she’s in a house arrest. I just heard form the news that we’re are facing another case. I doubt that they can leave anytime soon.
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
She can definitely not leave the country! No way the Filipinos are going to agree with whoever will give her the right to go out! Goodbye Philippines forever and than you for all the money I got out of the corruption! Those are the words she would probably say after getting out of the country if that will happen! Thank you for the response!
@tatzkie23 (770)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
it's so obvious, she just want to escape. Doctors in the Philippines are competent enough to treat GMA. So she doesn't have to leave the country and should face all her cases.
@aaronfyzeon (1920)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
Exactly! She should be brave enough to face whatever charges being thrown to her. She should not leave and prove herself innocent!
