Show Arroyo some compassion, says ally

Former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Jose Concepcion Jr. on Monday asked detractors of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to show her some compassion. The former President is currently confined at the Saint Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City because of a cervical spine infection. “The fact is, whether she's the President or not, she's a woman who needs compassion," said Concepcion, who was DTI secretary when Arroyo was an undersecretary in the same department. "I hope they will undergo the same situation so they will not speak like that. That is so cruel and unfair," said former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez when asked about those who wished ill of Arroyo.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Concepcion and Gonzalez spoke to reporters after a healing mass held at the hospital for the former P. According to a report from GMA News’ “24 Oras," Arroyo’s close friends, political allies and family were present during the mass. Pain even before Former Cabinet members said that even when Arroyo was President, she would experience pain in her neck, especially during their longer trips. On Wednesday last week, Arroyo went under the knife to correct a displaced titanium implant . During the surgery, doctors discovered that her first operation to correct a pinched nerve in her spine had developed an infection. After her second surgery, Arroyo was placed in the coronary care unit to recuperate. In an interview with the press last Wednesday, attending physician Dr. Juliet Cervantes said that the Pampanga representative will be taking “strong antibiotics" intravenously to treat the infection before she can go for another operation to reinsert the titanium implants back to her spine in the neck region. According to the report, Arroyo’s doctors will issue a medical bulletin on the former President’s condition next Sunday. 'Condition has improved' Contrary to reports that because of her worsening condition Arroyo needs to seek medical attention abroad, the Arroyo children said her condition has improved. Over the weekend, rumors spread that Arroyo’s condition had made a turn for the worse after her spokesperson Raul Lambino was quoted as saying that Arroyo needed to get medical treatment abroad as per her doctors’ advice. Lambino, however, had denied making the claim. On Monday, her doctors confirmed that there was no major change in Arroyo’s condition as she continues to receive medication for the infection. Meanwhile, Malacañang said Sunday that they will let the Justice Department have the final say on whether the former President would be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad, should her doctors recommended it. Mrs. Arroyo is under the watch-list of the Bureau of Immigration, according to presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte. “We will defer to the judgment of Secretary Leila de Lima on this matter because siyempre may issue sa watch list that needs to be tackled," she said Sunday. — BC/VS, GMA News