Gov’t to shoulder cost of Arroyo’s suite at Veterans Memorial – Robredo
MANILA, Philippines – After staying in a P50,000-a-night suite at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may not have to spend one centavo for her suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Since her confinement at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center is based on a court order, “the government will foot the bill,” Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said on Friday.
He said he still had no idea how much Arroyo’s confinement at the Veterans hospital would cost the government but surmised it would not be as much as Arroyo’s reported P50,000-per-night suite at St. Luke’s, excluding other medical bills.
VMMC medical director Nona Legaspi clarified that the hospital had never charged the VIP occupants for the use of the presidential suite, including presidents, their relations or other prominent political figures.
The most recent occupant was Arroyo’s predecessor, Joseph Estrada, who was held there for a time during his trial on plunder charges.
“There’s no rate ever because it’s not used by the public,” Legaspi said at a briefing at Camp Crame, where she represented VMMC at a meeting with different agencies on the security plan for Arroyo’s transfer.
But she added that the VMMC would bill the Department of the Interior and Local Government for utilities, such as electricity and water, and for other miscellaneous expenses.
Legaspi said “everything is okay” in the 150-square meter presidential suite (not 120 sq.m. as previously reported), except for some requests made by the Arroyo camp, including the addition of beds and furniture, as well as more electrical sockets for appliances.
Robredo, on the other hand, said the Arroyo camp would have to shoulder the expenses of retaining the services of her team of doctors from St. Luke’s, should they decide to do so, as well as for other privileges granted to them.
“Doctors at the Veterans do not charge for professional fees. If they will bring their own doctors, they will pay. Let me make it clear: the government will pay for the things it needs to shoulder but for their other requests, if granted, I think it will have to be shouldered by the requester,” he said.
In a separate interview with Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Legaspi described the presidential suite as an air-conditioned complex with a spacious living room, a bedroom with single bed, and toilet and bath. It has an adjoining room with a common bath room, kitchen dining room, prayer room and room for security.
Bullet proof windows were installed during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos, she said.
The presidential suite is being readied for Arroyo, who has been charged with electoral sabotage at the Pasay City regional trial court for allegedly rigging the 2007 senatorial elections.
Robredo said the transfer would likely be done by Sunday or after, but not earlier than Sunday.
“Some sprucing up [needs to be done] but otherwise it’s ready,” he said in text messages to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the agency had formed the “Task Force: Former President GMA (Task Force FPGMA)” to lead security arrangements for Arroyo’s departure from St. Luke’s up to her arrival and subsequent stay at Veterans.
The arrangements include a request to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to enforce a “no-fly zone” above the route of Arroyo’s transfer, he said.
He declined to say how many police officers would be deployed, saying only that it would be a “sufficient” force. He added that female police officers would be assigned to guard Arroyo, as per standard operating procedure.
