Mike Arroyo: We’ll await doctors' prognosis before seeking permission to travel

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE - 1:14 p.m.) The husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo admitted Friday he was not certain about her condition and said they would have to wait for her doctors’ prognosis before asking court permission to seek treatment abroad.

Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo said he could not confirm reports his wife’s condition had become life threatening because when he visited her Thursday night she was “drowsy” and unable to speak after undergoing a medical checkup at the Makati Medical Center.

"I have to talk to her doctors. If they say that this is life threatening, we will request permission from the courts. I don't want to say things ahead until I've discussed with them," he said.

But the moment the doctors confirm his wife’s life is in danger and she will require surgery abroad, they would immediately ask the courts to allow her to travel, he added.

According to an Inquirer report, Arroyo would need another surgery because the titanium implant in her neck has protruded into her esophagus, causing her to choke.

Earlier, an ally of Arroyo said complications from earlier surgeries have made it more compelling for the government to allow the former president to seek treatment abroad.

“I hope they (government) allow her (to go abroad), her condition is not good,” House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said in a phone interview.

Late last year, she had attempted to leave the country but had been prevented by the government from flying out despite a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against her inclusion in a travel watch-list.

The former president, who is now second district representative of Pampanga, remains detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center while she is being tried for electoral sabotage.

Mr. Arroyo said the former president is not one to complain when she feels ill.

"She only told me of neck pains, back pains. Pero hindi niya sinasabi kung malala (But she never says if it’s serious). She suffers in silence," he said.

Arroyo’s sons, Camarines Sur Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo and Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo refused to comment on their mother’s condition.

“Just ask the doctors,” Mikey Arroyo said.

 Arroyo’s spokesperson, Elena Bautista-Horn, also did not answer calls or text messages.

Mr. Arroyo returned to the country Thursday night after a nine-day trip to Hong Kong and Japan.

He reported his return to the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court Friday, where he and his wife are facing charges connected to the scandal-ridden national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp.

Mr. Arroyo took exception to media reports he said insinuated he intended to flee the charges against him. "I've always been ready to face those trumped-up charges," he said.

At the same time, he slammed President Benigno Aquino III for blaming his wife’s administration for the country’s economic woes.

"He must be dreaming. Under GMA (the former president’s initials) there were over 39 quarters, I don't know, of continuous growth. The Philippines did not enter recession. It is very sad, Noynoy (Aquino’s nickname) doesn't know how to run the economy."

"Wala siyang natutunan kay (He never learned anything from) Ma'am," he said.

The former president used to teach the incumbent in economics.

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