Palace aide calls for sobriety as Arroyo camp protests delay in transfer

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Friday denied that the Aquino administration was making things hard for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as her transfer from the St. Luke’s Medical Center to the presidential suite at a government hospital in Quezon City had not been carried out by early Friday afternoon.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the statement as the Arroyo camp complained that the Pampanga congresswoman had been waiting for her transfer since early Friday morning.”

Arroyo refused to be transferred to the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center in a helicopter as the PNP initially had planned. Friday’s rains over Metro Manila were a factor.

“Let’s be a little calm. Let’s not make this into another airport drama part two,” Valte said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

“There was no delay. The order of the court was given to the PNP. There was nothing in the order as (what time) it would be implemented,” she added.

Valte said there was no coordination between the PNP and the Arroyo camp as to what time the transfer would be effected.

“They’re not being oppressed. They’re not exposed to the rain. Our former President is very confortable while waiting,” Valte said.