Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Monday that the government would have to conduct an “independent verification” of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s medical condition following what he said was a seeming divergence of opinions between the Makati Medical Center and Arroyo’s personal physician.
On the sidelines of a prayer vigil for the safe recovery of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo at La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City, Lacierda said a similar verification was made when Arroyo complained then of her neck condition.
“We did this remember in the past when (Health) Secretary (Enrique) Ona visited former President Arroyo,” he said.
Asked who would conduct the “verification,” Lacierda said that this had not yet been discussed.
“We have not yet discussed that. Remember, there’s a (hold departure order) against her (Arroyo),” he said.
On July 24, the Sandiganbayan’s First Division issued an HDO against the former President and nine other former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Commission on Audit.
The HDO was issued after the plunder case the 10 are facing over the alleged misuse of almost P366 million in charity funds was assigned to the same division via raffle.
The HDO, which prevents the accused from leaving the country without the court’s permission, was the third one issued against Arroyo.