Arroyo to spend Christmas at Veteran’s hospital

MANILA, Philippines—Former President now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s hopes of spending Christmas in her house in La Vista, Quezon City were practically dashed Wednesday when a Commission on Elections (Comelec) lawyer filed a motion to postpone the hearing of Arroyo’s requests to January next year.

But Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 clerk of court Joel Pelicano said it was still up to Judge Jesus Mupas to act on Comelec lawyer Juana Valeza’s motion for postponement.

Pelicano said the court will decide on Valeza’s Motion on Wednesday.

Pelicano said the Comelec motion for postponement would mean that Arroyo will have to spend Christmas and New Year at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City where she was ordered detained while awaiting trial for electoral sabotage.

In a motion filed before the sala of Judge Mupas, Arroyo requested that she be allowed to spend Christmas at home in the company of her children and grandchildren.

She has also applied to be allowed access to cellphone and the internet while staying at the VMMC, saying that she was, after all, still the duly elected representative of Pampanga.

Several lawmakers led by Speaker Belmonte, have expressed support for Arroyo’s demand to have a cellphone unit and a computer with Wifi connection.

The President has also asked to be allowed to stay out of her room for her daily sunning and exercise.