MANILA: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be placed in a detention area that has facilities to monitor her health, Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Director Nona Legaspi said.
Legaspi said late on Friday that she is ready to testify in court about the medical condition of Arroyo.
Arroyo was transferred to the intensive care unit of the VMMC after doctors noticed a problem in her heart, described by Legaspi as ischemia or inadequate blood flow.
Legaspi said they were assuming at the moment that a blockage in the artery was what caused it but noted the former president would need more tests to determine her real condition, following the ECG performed on her.
The Sandiganbayan earlier ordered the arrest of Arroyo on charges of plunder, a non-bailable offense.
Arroyo’s lawyers appealed that she is in no condition to be detained because of her medical condition, but the anti-graft court ordered them to come up with witnesses and evidence to support their bid to have her detained at VMMC.
Legaspi, however, said no one among Arroyo’s lawyers has approached her about the matter.
“I’m willing (to testify). All those are facts. I can show (the medical) documents,” she said.
Legaspi said they would be monitoring Arroyo daily to see if she would be fit to appear in court tomorrow for her scheduled arraignment.
She said they brought Arroyo to the hospital’s ICU on Friday afternoon after the patient complained of chest pains.
“We had to act with urgency... We might be overtaken by events. We don’t want that,” she said.
Legaspi said ischemia could lead to heart attack if not addressed properly.
Bulacan Bishop Jose Oliveros, for his part, urged the faithful to offer prayers for the former president.
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