Lawmakers urge probe into alleged conspiracy to hide true state of Arroyo’s health

MANILA, Philippines—The so-called progressive bloc in the House of Representatives is  calling for an inquiry into the alleged complicity of lawyers and doctors in former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempt to hide her true medical condition.

“We are now set to file a House resolution on Monday calling for an investigation of GMA’s lawyers and doctors. It is deplorable that these so-called professionals tried to fool the Filipino people on Gloria’s health. There was no need after all for GMA to travel abroad for treatment because she was recovering fine; it was just a ruse to escape arrest,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said.

Arroyo lawyers declared Friday in a Pasay City court, where the former President faces a charge of electoral sabotage, that she was “medically fit’’ to leave the hospital, and moved that she be placed instead under house arrest.

“So with her trickery exposed, Gloria must now be jailed, and additional charges can even be added like perjury. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Supreme Court as well as the Philippine Medical Association can also move to discipline their dishonest members,” Casiño said.

Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano, for his part, described the attempt as “another desperate attempt to deceive the public and escape justice.’’

“The government must not give leniency to Arroyo; she deserves to go to jail,” he said.

Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Luz Ilagan bewailed the fact Arroyo’s lawyers were “treating us like fools.’’

“Their deception is merely another chapter in the continuing saga of trickery, corruption and betrayal of public trust. Playing on the emotions of the Filipinos has been mastered by the Arroyo camp. Remember, ‘I am sorry!’ after her calls to Garci. But the Filipino people are not biting. We have seen it all. Lawyers pretending to be doctors should be reprimanded for being part of this mockery of justice,” she said.

Her colleague at Gabriela, Rep. Emmi de Jesus agreed. “It just proves how scheming GMA and her cohorts are. They are not just thieves, they are also chronic liars!” she said.

ACT Teachers’ party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, for his part, opposed plans to put Arroyo under house arrest.

“It is clear that GMA is quite willing to exploit her medical condition and deceive the public to gain special privileges while under arrest. Her earlier plea for hospital arrest was revealed to be in bad faith when her own doctors finally refused to stand by her lawyers’ exaggerated claims that her health status was deteriorating and her ailments  life-threatening,” he said.