Arroyo’s doctor to testify in impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, the physician of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is expected to testify on Monday at the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, said prosecutor Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares.

Colmenares said that they intended to prove that there was no life and death urgency when the temporary restraining order on travel restrictions on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was issued by the Supreme Court. “Bakit mabilis pa sa alas dose ang pagbigay ng TRO? (Why was there haste in serving the TRO?)”

The prosecution panel hoped that Cervantes would stick to the truth when she takes the witness stand, added Colmenares. “She is the physician of the former President, we just hope she’ll tell the truth. She had a medical certificate before saying that [Arroyo] was on her way to recovery, I hope she’ll stick to that.”

Along with Cervantes, two custodians from the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice-President were also asked to testify, this time on the “many appointments of Mrs. Arroyo on Corona from spokesman, chief of staff, executive secretary, justice to chief justice. All these appointments will prove our allegations na subordinate ang relasyon ni Chief Justice Corona kay Arroyo.”