MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was rushed to the intensive care unit of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Friday, October 12, the state-run hospital’s medical director confirmed in a press conference.

VMMC director Dr Nona Legaspi told reporters that Mrs Arroyo is now suffering from ischemia, a heart-related problem characterized by chest pain, among others.

This may prevent her from attending her arraignment at the Sandiganbayan, which she requested on Friday to be deferred. She is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, October 15, for a plunder case.

“She is being monitored and we are recommending further diagnostic evaluation,” Legaspi said in a mix of English and Filipino. 

She described ischemia as a lack of blood going to the heart. “For (the heart) to pump, it needs blood,” the doctor explained. “So when you say ischemia, there is a blood vessel that is somehow blocked.” Legaspi said stress – the “number one” cause of heart problems – could have triggered the former president’s ailment.

Legaspi then said Mrs Arroyo’s condition is “ominous” and “can progress.” “Ischemia should not be taken lightly. That can progress to a full-blown… heart attack,” the VMMC director explained.

Legaspi summoned

Despite an order to arrest her, Mrs Arroyo remains confined at the VMMC even as her doctors have yet to “substantiate” her petition for hospital arrest.

On Friday afternoon, the Sandiganbayan ordered Legaspi to appear before the anti-graft court on October 18 at 1:30 pm. In a subpoena signed by division clerk of court Estela Teresita Rosete, the Sandiganbayan ordered her to testify on Mrs Arroyo’s medical condition and bring the necessary documents.

Last October 4, the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against Mrs Arroyo in connection with a P366-M plunder suit earlier filed against her and 9 others by the Ombudsman. 

This year, Mrs Arroyo had already been arraigned for two cases. She faced arraignment for alleged electoral sabotage in February, and for alleged graft in April. She pleaded not guilty in both proceedings. – Rappler.com