Senate won’t summon Arroyo’s doctors in poll fraud probe—Guingona

Senator Teofisto Guingona III, INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines – The doctors of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will no longer be summoned by the Senate because their statements before a local court were sufficient, the chairman of the blue ribbon committee has said.

“The Senate blue ribbon committee has deemed the statement given by the doctors of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court sufficient for its own purposes,” Senator Teofisto Guingona III said on Saturday.

“The doctors’ statement has clearly established the true and accurate medical condition of Mrs. Arroyo. Dr. Mario Ver, her orthopedic Spine Surgeon, has testified that she is physically fit to be treated as an out-patient,” he said.

“The committee has therefore decided that there is no more need to invite the said doctors,” Guingona added.

The senator said Thursday that his committee might summon Arroyo’s doctors next weeks in its investigation into the alleged massive fraud during the 2007 elections.

Guingona said Arroyo’s health would only be incidental to the Senate investigation.