Mike Arroyo volunteers to stay at Veterans, too

RAINY TRANSFER. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seated on a wheelchair (lower right, under blue umbrella) and is shielded from the rain by aides and her Presidential Security Group detail upon arrival at Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on Friday. With her in the white coaster is her husband Mike Arroyo (top of photo). LYN RILLON

Not that he wants to be jailed, but if it will be in a presidential suite and next to a golf course, why not?

Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is determined to accompany his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in detention, along with at least four assistants, including a nurse, according to family spokespersons.

He will be by her side while she is in detention at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Elena Bautista-Horn said.

“No, it’s not like he’s also under arrest,” Horn said when asked whether Mike Arroyo was also under government custody.

Mike Arroyo’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said his client had “volunteered” to be with the former President. He said staying in the detention facility should not be perceived that Arroyo’s husband was under arrest as well.

Mike Arroyo has been implicated, but never formally charged, in various controversies during his wife’s nine-year presidency. These include the sale of second-hand helicopters passed off as brand-new to the Philippine National Police, which the Senate recently investigated.

2 female docs

VMMC has assigned two female doctors to serve as Arroyo’s attending physicians during her stay. But they are not specialists in neck injuries or metabolic bone diseases like hers.

According to Dr. Nona Legaspi, the VMMC director, Dr. Victoria Javier specializes in infectious diseases, and Dr. Martha Nutum, in emergency medicine.

Arroyo is scheduled for a complete medical examination on Saturday.

“She will see her doctors every day, just like any other patient,” Legaspi said, adding that according to the order of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112, the medical care of Arroyo had been turned over to VMMC.

Likewise, it will be up to VMMC to determine the state of Arroyo’s health, she said.

“As the court orders us, we will appear in court to give updates on her medical condition,” Legaspi said.

Unfortunately for reporters, VMMC will not issue medical bulletins to the public unless ordered by the court.

Legaspi has yet to name the designated spokesperson for matters concerning Arroyo.

In high spirits

Asked to describe Arroyo’s demeanor, Legaspi said the former President was in “high spirits.”

This was the same observation of Topacio. “She really prayed that the transfer would go smoothly without any trouble,” he said, adding:

“She is a very religious person. Her conscience is clear.”

Topacio also thanked the PNP for ensuring a “smooth” and orderly transfer from St. Luke’s Medical center in Taguig City to VMMC.

First posted 12:17 am | Saturday, December 10th, 2011