Vidal says Arroyo not faking illness to avail of treatment

As far as Cebu Archbishop emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is concerned, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo isn’t faking her medical condition.

Vidal, who said he visited the former president in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Makati City, also called on Cebuanos to pray for her recovery.

“I supposed she is not pretending. I was also sick before. I know how it is to be sick,” Vidal told reporters.

During last Saturday’s opening of an exhibit of rare materials  in the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Vidal said Arroyo should recover so she would be fit to face the cases filed against her.

“ Let’s pray for her, after all she’s our past President,” he said.

Vidal, whose visit came two weeks ago, described Arroyo as frail and sitting in a chair.

He said he advised the former president to listen to the word of God.

“ I reminded her to listen to whatever the Lord is telling. This is a purification period for her,” Vidal said.

He said Arroyo’s quick dash to seek treatment abroad is understandable, since he also underwent heart surgery outside the country.

“We have to pray that this will be settled peacefully for the good of the people,” Vidal said.

Elsewhere in the country, Arroyo allies asked the Aquino administration to give the Pampanga representative “humane treatment” in view of her poor health and her status as a former leader of the country.

North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou T. Mendoza said while she had nothing against the government putting up a “good fight” against Arroyo, it should be made against”an opponent who is physically fit and can stand trial.”

Mendoza was among a dozen local officials who issued statements expressing their support for Arroyo’s petition to be placed under house arrest.

They cited Arroyo’s legacy in their respective towns and provinces in the form of health care and infrastructure development.

Their appeal has come in the middle of a raging debate whether to place Arroyo under house arrest or in a government detention center after her doctors admitted in open court that Arroyo was fit to move out of the hospital.

Arroyo lawyer Raul Lambino claimed that President Aquino’s vendetta against the Pampanga representative was rooted in her decision ordering the distribution of land in Hacienda Luisita to the farmers when she was still president.

But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the prosecution of Arroyo is not about “vindictiveness but accountability.”

She said if the administration’s efforts against Arroyo were borne out of spite, his administration should have filed a string of charges against her “since day one.” Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter  With an Inquirer report