2 bishops urge kindness toward Arroyo

Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The public should show compassion and pray for the recovery of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, two Catholic bishops said Saturday.

Bishop Jose Oliveros of Malolos, Bulacan, said in a telephone interview the faithful should pray for Arroyo, who has been transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City after tests showed she was suffering from coronary ischemia or not having enough blood supply to the heart.

In a separate interview, retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the former President, now a member of the House of Representatives, should remain under hospital arrest because of her medical condition.

“We are a compassionate people. In spite of all the allegations against her, she has served the country in the way she has seen it fit to govern,” Oliveros said. “She needs our prayers. May the Lord of Mercy, the Divine Healer, grant her health of soul and body.”

The unpopular former President’s latest medical troubles became known after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against her for the alleged misuse of P356 million worth of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds.

For his part, Archbishop Cruz said the court should allow Arroyo to be put under hospital arrest instead of house arrest.

“I think she needs all the means in the hospital to make her healthy and well again,” Cruz said.

“This time, I think she’s really sick… I think hospital arrest would be better than  house arrest,” he added.