The Philippine Online Chronicles

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said the Philippine government will shoulder the hospital expenses of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while she is under arrest in a public hospital for electoral sabotage.

Robredo said government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) will not pay for the hospital bills but “since the court ordered her [Arroyo[ detention there, the government will pay.”

Arroyo will be transferred from her $1,000 (or round P50,000) a day private hospital suite in St. Luke’s Medical Center to the VMMC next week.

Arroyo’s lawyers had at first moved for the suspension of her transfer to the VMMC until her doctors from St. Luke’s have released their findings on her health condition.

But recent news said the Arroyo camp is ready to move. Topacio said they are ready to comply with the court’s order.

"There are preparations...she is prepared emotionally and psychologically naman, ewan ko lang kung physically," Topacio said.

VMMC director Dr. Nona Legaspi said Arroyo will be housed at the presidential suite. She said there is actually no rate for said suite since the public does not use it. However, Robredo said it probably won’t be as expensive as St. Luke’s.

Legaspi said they will instead bill the DILG for the utility costs and miscellaneous expenses incurred during Arroyo’s stay.

The Arroyo camp reportedly requested additional beds and furniture for the 150 square meter suite.

“Doctors at [VMMC] do not charge professional fees. If [Arroyo and her camp] will bring their own doctors, they will pay. Let me make it clear: The government will pay for the things it needs to shoulder, but as for [the Arroyo camp’s] other requests, if granted, these will have to be shouldered by the one who made the request,” Robredo clarified.

No laptop

Earlier, Topacio said his client is requesting for a laptop while in detention to reach out to her constituents.

"She can read. She can give emails about her ideas on pending legislation. Notwithstanding the fact that she is sick, she still wants to work and do her duty as representative of her district," Topacio said.

Arroyo spokesperson Elena Bautista Horn, on the other hand, said the former president may write a book using the laptop.

However, presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Arroyo is not entitled to such privileges.

This is an ordinary rule. When you become a detention prisoner, this amenity, if you can call it that, or luxury is banned. These things (cellphones and computers) are banned in jails,” Valte told media.

Legaspi was also clear in saying that Internet access will not be allowed.

“No, no, no, she will not have access to the Internet and cell phones. We will abide with a court order if she will be allowed access. But till then, we will not grant their request,” she said.

But Horn said that while they understand the stand of VMMC, they will still raise the issue in court.

Topacio asserted, “She (Arroyo) has duties to perform. Even if she’s ill she tries to have some output, so as not to squander the trust of the people who voted for her in Pampanga.”