MANILA, Philippines – The lawyers of detained former president and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo filed a new petition last September before the Sandiganbayan, asking that she be allowed to get a check-up at St Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig.

Arroyo faces a corruption case before the anti-graft court.

A 3-page motion asks the court to allow her to go to St Luke’s to get various medical tests from 9 am on October 21 to 4 pm on October 22.

Her lawyer, Lorenzo Gadon, said that besides “cervical Spondylosis,” the former president is suffering from a new ailment which causes severe pain in her left arm.

“Pag nagkakaharap kami ni dating pangulo, si Gloria Arroyo, nagrereklamo siya na nahihirapan siyang i-lift ang tasa ng tea na kanyang iinumin at nilipat niya sa kabilang kamay ang tasa,” Gadon said.

(When we see each other, she complains that she has a hard time lifting her teacup and she has to use her other hand.)

He told reporters at a press conference on October 8, that he is hoping the anti-graft court would allow her to get checked by a specialist. “Panibagong sakit itong nararamdaman ni GMA (these are new illnesses), aside from the previous ailments that she’s already suffering,” Gadon clarified.

Violation of int’l law

On October 8, the lawyers of Arroyo released to the public the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention’s opinion over the detention of the former president, calling it a “violation of international law.” The United Nations complaint was filed last February by international lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney on behalf of Arroyo.

The Palace responded by saying that only Philippine courts can decide on the Arroyo case.

Arroyo has been detained since 2012 over the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s intelligence funds (PCSO), amounting to P366 million.

Last August, the Philippine Supreme Court allowed 91-year-old Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing graft and plunder charges (a non-bailable offense), to post bail because of “humanitarian considerations.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that posting bail could set a “dangerous precedent,” which may allow Arroyo to argue for her release also using health as a reason.

Her health issues began when a titanium implant in her spine became dislodged in 2012 and protruded into her asophogus, making it difficult for her to swallow. (READ: GMA’s life threatening condition revealed) 

Getting worse

Gadon said that her condition is only getting worse due to the detention. He added, “Sinasabi doon sa isang specialist din yung pagkakaroon ng bagong sakit ay bunga rin sa pagkaka-detain doon sa Veterans.” (The specialist said that these new ailments are directly caused by her detention in Veterans.)

Gadon added, “Sapagka’t ang masyadong matagal na pamamalagi sa ospital ay di rin nakakabuti sa kanya sapagka’t nagkakaroon ito ng pag-aalala, depression, anxiety, at saka very limited ang kanyang movement.” (Staying too long in the hospital is doing her no good, because she’s getting worried, depressed, anxious, and her movements are very limited.)

Arroyo, however, continues to do her work as a congresswoman while being detained at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) by having her staff members brief her daily on what’s happening in Congress and filing bills on her behalf.

According to the House of Representatives website, she has filed over 250 bills while under detention. She has also announced that she will run for re-election for a 3rd and last term in 2016. – Rappler.com