Vindictive President

The question whether the Supreme Court will grant former President Gloria’s request to travel abroad for medical reasons is a no-brainer.

Unless the high court doesn’t know the law, GMA’s request will be granted.

The former chief executive should be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad not only because she is gravely ill but also because no criminal case has yet been filed against her.

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Justice Secretary Leila de Lima should not blindly follow the President’s order to disallow GMA from travelling abroad.

Of what use is her being a legal adviser to the President if she can’t tell him that preventing GMA from going abroad is violating her constitutional right?

President Noy is not a lawyer and  needs to be told about our laws and the Constitution by De Lima and his other legal advisers.

The Palace should not give the public the  story  that the President was backing De Lima’s no-travel order on GMA because the latter was just following his desire.

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I saw GMA’s picture on the front page of the Inquirer Wednesday and I took pity on her.

I’m sure millions of others who saw the latest photo of her felt the same way.

Gloria is 64 years old but she now looks 84; so unlike her baby-face looks when she was still healthy.

If only for her condition, P-Noy should allow her to go abroad for treatment.

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P-Noy’s father, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, who was sentenced to die by firing squad by a military tribunal, was allowed to seek medical treatment in the United States for his heart ailment by his tormentor, President Marcos.

Why did Marcos allow Ninoy Aquino to go abroad knowing the latter would not come back as soon as he received  medical treatment?

Because Marcos, a very intelligent man, knew the public backlash of not allowing Ninoy to go abroad for his heart ailment.

I’m sure P-Noy, who is not as intelligent as Marcos, doesn’t know the consequences of disallowing GMA to travel.

If his advisers haven’t told him yet, well he should be told now: If he continues to be hard-headed, he will become very unpopular if Gloria dies on him.

I’ve talked to my doctor friends and they say GMA may not have long to live if she doesn’t get prompt medical attention.

Even if GMA doesn’t die, the public will reach a point where it will take  pity on her even if they hate her now.

The citizenry will soon realize that the President is persecuting an underdog.

And we all know that the public always roots for the underdog.

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The problem with this President is that he is vindictive-—a trait which, I think, runs in the family.

For all her virtues, the late Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, was unforgiving toward the Marcoses and those identified with them.

If the President wants a long, healthy life he should forgive those who have hurt him and his family in the past.

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Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Joselito P. Avanceña, commanding general of the AFP Medical Center, for his promotion.

Avanceña is the first Navy surgeon to be promoted to general.