The Philippine Online Chronicles

Malacañang today said it will not comment on Health Secretary Enrique Ona’s remark that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s condition is “OK.”

The Palace had initially requested that Ona evaluate Arroyo’s medical condition and abstract following her application to seek medical treatment abroad.

Arroyo is seeking an Allow Departure Order (ADO) as she is currently covered by an immigration Watch List Order (WLO) because of the two electoral fraud cases filed against her.

The Philippine Star cited an “insider” from the Department of Health (DOH) who said that Ona would be submitting his report to Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima. The DOJ will be the one to release the report.

Meanwhile, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Ona’s supposed remark that Arroyo’s condition was “OK” is still premature.

"Secretary Ona’s opinion will certainly be taken into consideration by Secretary de Lima when the latter decides on the request for the issuance of an ADO," she said.

Quid pro quo

Earlier, Sen. Panfilo Lacson told De Lima to have a “Solomonic” solution to the problem. He suggested that before being allowed to leave the country, Arroyo shall be required to submit a counter-affidavit to ensure that proceedings against her will not be delayed even in her absence.

My unsolicited advice to Secretary De Lima is to do a King Solomon: Allow ex-President Arroyo to leave for treatment abroad but only after she has submitted her counter-affidavit on the electoral sabotage and plunder case that she is being accused of, so as not to derail the preliminary investigations being conducted by the DOJ (Department of Justice) prosecutors,” he said.

Arroyo had already obtained permission from the House of Representative, being a Pampanga representative, to travel to Singapore, Spain, Germany, Italy and the United States from Oct. 22 to Dec. 5.

If allowed to leave, she will seek treatment for hypoparathyroidism which is caused by a lack of calcium production in the body, resulting in neck and spine problems.