Arroyo lawyer reiterates appeal to media not to join convoy

MANILA, Philippines—The camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday reiterated their appeal to the media not to join the police convoy for the former leader who will be transferred from the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) in Taguig City to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City (VMMC) this morning.

“Baka pwedeng pakihintay nalang doon [VMMC] kasi baka mahirapan pa makipag negotiate ang convoy and syempre for security reasons”Arroyo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said before reporters staking out at St. Luke’s.

But if the media would still want to follow, “Huwag nalang buntutan masyado,” he said.

Topacio said that he could not divulge the exact time of their departure and where they would be exiting, but clearly said that the former president would be moved this morning.

Arroyo was put under hospital arrest in St. Luke’s after Judge Mupas issued arrest warrants for her and two others — Former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election supervisor Lintang Bedol following the electoral sabotage charges that were filed against them.

Electoral sabotage is a non-bailable offense.

From Tuesday, Mupas rescheduled Arroyo’s transfer to VMMC due to renovations that needed to be done in Arroyo’s suite at the VMMC as following motion for reconsideration filed by the former president’s lawyers who sought to delay her move to the government-run hospital.