Presidential suite at Veterans’ hospital ready for occupancy, says medical director

READY FOR OCCUPANCY. The Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City is where former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be confined while awaiting trial on charges of electoral sabotage. Medical Director Nona Legaspi says the presidential suite for Arroyo is ready. CHONA YU/Radyo Inquirer 990AM

MANILA, Philippines — The presidential suite of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City is ready for occupancy, hospital Medical Director Nona Legaspi said Friday.

“Everything is okay. The water pressure is very high,” Legaspi said on Radyo Inquirer 990AM after accompanying [Local Government] Secretary Jesse Robredo on a ocular inspection of the place. “He wanted to see if everything was in order,” Legaspi said.

Legaspi described the presidential suite as a complex with a big sala,  a bedroom with single bed,  toilet and bath and air-conditioning unit, and with an adjoining room with a common bath room, kitchen dining room, prayer room and room for security.

She said the bullet proof windows was made during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos.

The presidential suite is being readied for former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing charges for electoral sabotage before the Pasay City regional trial court Branch 112.

The presidential unit was also occupied by former President Joseph Estrada during his hospital arrest while awaiting  trial for plunder in 2001.

Legaspi said the Department of Interior and Local Government would have a meeting Friday to discuss the expenses and security matters during Arroyo’s stay.

She said Arroyo could bring her own doctor, if she wished.

“VMMC is a closed hospital but given the situation, we are willing to waive,” Legaspi also said.

For the full report, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.