Lacson expresses surprise over Arroyo’s alleged entourage in foreign travel

MANILA, Philippines—Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday expressed surprise on why former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyol  was allegedly bringing her whole ‘secretariat’ in her request to seek medical treatment abroad.

Lacson told the INQUIRER.net in a text message that he finds Arroyo’s request suspicious after receiving information that her entourage would include 14 people, including Remedios “Meldy” Poblador, who served as secretary for special concerns during Arroyo’s presidency.

“GMA (Arroyo’s initials) listed 14 members of her entourage including Medy Poblador, her suspected bag lady. Isn’t it suspicious that instead of strictly family members, it seems that she’s bringing with her the whole secretariat?” Lacson said in his text message.

“And all countries that she intends to travel to have no extradition treaty (with the Philippines),” he added.

Lacson said Arroyo’s real destinations are Austria, Germany and Spain. But her request at the House of Representatives indicated that she wanted to travel in the United States, Spain, Germany, Italy and Singapore.

Aside from the number of entourage, Lacson also found suspicious Arroyo’s failure to indicate relevant data in her travel request, such as the names of her doctors and places of her medical treatment.

“She can’t detail in her request the name/s of her doctors, places of treatment and other relevant data,” said the senator.

Despite this, Lacson maintained that Arroyo should not be prevented to leave the country since she was just placed under the government’s watchlist order.

“I maintain that it is still a legal issue that the Supreme Court has to resolve.,’’ said Lacson, a staunch critic of Arroyo.