Robredo inspects Arroyo presidential suite, says everything ready

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo went to the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center Friday to check on preparations for the transfer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the government-run hospital.

Robredo arrived past 8 a.m. for a final inspection, along with VMMC director Nona Legaspi and Pasay court sherrif Rodelio Buenviaje.

Robredo said everything was ready for Arroyo’s transfer “within the morning.”

But authorities were still assessing whether it would be best to transport her by air or by land.

“It could be air transport, and it could be by land. We’re still assessing because the weather may be bad for air transport,” he said in a separate radio interview.

He said there were disadvantages to transporting Arroyo by car but “definitely within the day, within the morning, she will be transferred.”

If she was to be airlifted, Arroyo would be taken by a private “air ambulance” that would cost the government about P100,000 to rent, Robredo said.

“I think they’re prepared already,” he said of Arroyo.

Asked if the Arroyo camp had made any last minute requests, Robredo said: “None, but there’s a request with the police to allow her to go sunning every day.”

“In this situation, we’re between the devil and the deep blue sea if we grant her too much privilege, or if we deny her too much. But the first consideration must be security,” he said.