Arroyo likely to run again for House seat in 2013 polls—ally

Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines — Despite ailments plaguing former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House minority leader Danilo Suarez on Wednesday said that it was likely that she would still run during the 2013 midterm polls.

“I think she will run. If she does, no one will contest the decision. Mahal siya sa lugar niya (she’s loved by her constituents),” he told reporters during a press briefing, saying the former president was likely to run again for a seat at the House of Representatives.

He however revealed that Arroyo’s condition did not seem to be getting any better from the last time they spoke at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center where the Pampanga representative was under hospital arrest.

“There is no marked improvement from the last time I saw her three weeks ago,” he said, painting a picture of a former president who is mobile but seems to be in pain.

Arroyo was described to be behaving restlessly like patients who were in pain during Suarez’ last visit, not seeming to find a comfortable enough sitting position easily.

He added that during his most recent visit, Arroyo would only eat small pieces from her meals.

The minority leader remarked that it would not be good to transfer Arroyo to a regular jail given her condition, saying “I don’t think they can bring her to a regular jail. It would expose her to more severe medical problems.”

“I can’t imagine where they would put her that will have VMMC’s facilities,” he added.