Let Gloria go abroad without precondition—Joker

MANILA, Philippines—If Malacañang has no objections over former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s desire to seek medical treatment abroad, why does she still need to get an exemption from the Department of Justice before she is allowed to leave?

Senator Joker Arroyo posed this question Sunday, noting that the requirement set by the DoJ contradicts the Palace’s position.

“A policy statement of Malacañang is superior to all others,” the senator said in an interview.  “If (President Aquino) said she can go, why are there so many conditions?”

The senator apparently referred to a statement made by presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda that the DoJ must first issue an exemption before she can leave the country for medical reasons.

This is because the Bureau of Immigration, which is under DoJ supervision, has put Mrs. Arroyo on its watch list.

“To me, the issue here is a human right. GMA (a popular reference to the former president) can be paralyzed and be on a watch list. What (proof) does the DoJ need before it gives an exemption? She (Mrs. Arroyo) is not yet even convicted,” the senator said.

Mrs. Arroyo, now a Pampanga congresswoman, is facing plunder charges for the alleged non-remittance of capital gains tax by the national government to the National Treasury for the sale of the old Iloilo airport, the alleged anomalous transfer of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration funds to PhilHealth and the alleged misuse of fertilizer funds during her 2004 campaign.

The former President’s doctors said she requires corrective surgery since the implants attached to her neck that are supposed to address her cervical spine problem would not hold due to poor bone quality.

Lacierda already gave assurances that President Aquino would not object if an operation abroad is required.

Senator Arroyo noted that the President’s father, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., was already convicted to death by firing squad when allowed to seek medical treatment abroad following a heart attack inside Fort Bonifacio.

“Because of international outcry, (then First Lady) Imelda Marcos offered to send Ninoy (the late senator’s nickname) to the US for a bypass because that was risky operation when done here,” Arroyo recalled.

“Ninoy accepted and Imelda told the Philippine Army, the immigration bureau and the (Ministry) of Foreign Affairs to expedite his release and give him a passport. She even called the ambassador at the US embassy to give Ninoy a visa so he was able to go to the US with (wife) Cory very quickly,” the senator added.

“The Marcoses imposed no conditions. So why are there conditions set (for Mrs. Arroyo)? In the face of plunder charges, there is a fear she might not return? Because of that fear, she cannot go to the States anymore?” Senator Arroyo asked.

The senator also noted that parties normally vocal about human rights such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the UP College of Law have been unusually quiet about the situation.

“Normally, the IBP and the UP College of Law are vigilant when violations of the Bill of Rights are committed. Why are they suddenly silent now?” he asked.