Mike Arroyo: St. Luke's visit was for rehab session, not for Bolante

MANILA, Philippines – First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo on Thursday insisted that he went to the St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) for a rehabilitation session and not to visit former Agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc" Bolante. A radio report over dzBb radio quoted Arroyo as saying that while Bolante is a friend, he has not met or even talked with him since arriving from the country Tuesday evening. "Kaibigan ko siya pero di ko pa siya ... I've not seen him. I've not talked to him (He's my friend but I've not seen him or talked to him)," Arroyo told reporters. The radio report said Arroyo was scheduled to undergo rehabilitation after he suffered a heart ailment last year and underwent surgery. The First Gentleman goes to the SLMC for his rehabilitation on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. "It's nothing new for me to be coming here two times a week. I’m recovering very fast. I’m following my doctor’s orders," Arroyo said. Speculations on a possible visit to Bolante were raised after the First Gentleman showed up at the hospital after 7 a.m. Thursday. Bolante - who is the alleged engineer of the P728-million fertilizer fund scam - was rushed to the SLMC before midnight Tuesday shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport following a flight from the United States. The First Gentleman and Bolante are fellow Rotarians. Cardiologist Romeo Saavedra, who helped in the First Gentleman's heart surgery last year, is attending to Bolante. - GMANews.TV