All set for Arroyo move to Veterans

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

“Everything is in place.’’

This was the assessment of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court sheriff as he emerged from the presidential suite of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Thursday afternoon.

Sheriff Rodel Buenviaje conducted a final inspection of the suite from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. accompanied by hospital director Dr. Nona Legaspi.

Buenviaje said former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be transported in an ambulance from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City and she will not be handcuffed.

“(It’s) part of the court order to accord (Arroyo) respect,” Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said earlier.

50-50 chance

But Robredo had said there was a “50-50 chance” the authorities may decide to transport Arroyo via helicopter, considering the security risk and logistics involved.

“It will be decided on by the PNP. But it will depend on our assessment of the situation tomorrow,” Robredo said in a phone interview.

Robredo exercises supervisory powers over the Philippine National Police.

He said the advantage of transporting Arroyo by helicopter included avoiding the Friday rush hour traffic and the security risks that came with a convoy, like a fracas with protesters or her supporters in the streets.

But definitely, he said, Arroyo would not be flown on either of the two used helicopters the PNP purchased as brand new in 2009 from a firm allegedly fronting for her husband.

Jose Miguel Arroyo and several former PNP officials, including then Director General Jesus Verzosa, are facing graft charges over the alleged anomalous transaction.

“No, we will only use the right helicopter,” Robredo said. Aside from the controversial choppers, the PNP has two others that are air worthy.

Buenviaje declined to give the time of Arroyo’s transfer for security reasons, saying only that “it will be tomorrow.”

In the ambulance, he said, Arroyo will be accompanied by a doctor, a court custodian and a member of her family or designated representative.

“Like any patient, she will be accompanied by her doctor,” Buenviaje said.

And like any other accused being brought to jail, a commitment order for Arroyo was issued by Pasay City RTC Judge Jesus Mupas for her transfer to the VMMC.

“Without a commitment order, the former president cannot be brought to her detention place, the VMMC,’’ Buenviaje explained.

“The police should receive a copy of the commitment order before she could be taken out of St. Luke’s,” Buenviaje added.

Suitcases

Robredo said the time for the transfer had not been set, but it would likely take place “after 8 a.m.”

On Thursday afternoon, several suitcases were seen being loaded at St. Luke’s onto a black sport utility vehicle with an “8” license plate that was believed to belong to the Arroyo family.

Asked if the former president and now Pampanga representative and her family were packed for the transfer to the VMMC Friday, her legal spokesperson Raul Lambino said in a text message that the Arroyo family was “prepared.”

“I have no information on what time the transfer will take place. But I believe CGMA (Arroyo) and her family are ready and prepared,” said Lambino, who as of Thursday was still in the Netherlands attending a conference.  With a report from Niña Calleja