Arroyo condition ‘significantly improving’ — PNP doctor

The condition of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been "significantly improving," according to a medical update submitted by the Philippine National Police to the Department of Interior and Local Government.   The update, according to a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" Thursday night, was prepared by Senior Superintendent Herminigilda Salangad.   "Sa sitwasyon niya (Mrs. Arroyo), para bang improved na siya in a sense na para bang nire-ready na nga for outpatienting," Salangad said.   The update said Mrs. Arroyo, now on temporary hospital arrest at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City, has continued to complain about pain on her lower back and left knee and weaknesses on both feet.   She was ordered arrested last week following the filing of electoral sabotage case against her by the Commission on Elections in connection with the supposed irregularities in the 2007 elections.   "The overall assessment of CGMA's present medical status has significantly improved except for the complaints of pain on low[er] back, left knee, weaknesses of both feet and weak neck," a portion of the update read, as shown on the "24 Oras" report.   "The patient has been advised to change the Minerva brace to a hard collar (Miami J) to prevent stiffening and atrophy of neck muscles," it added.   Mrs. Arroyo, now a lawmaker representing Pampanga's second district, has asked the government to allow her to go to Singapore to seek treatment for her bone mineral disorder and hypoparathyroidism.   But according to the PNP update, her hypoparathyroidism is "resolving."   "The recent laboratory results showed that her intact Parathyroid Hormone (dated 11/20/2011) is within normal limits, hence, patient's Hypoparathyroidism is resolving," it said.   The update also said the former President "was suffering from Anorexia probably secondary to stress."   Prior to her arrest, Mrs. Arroyo was placed on the Immigration watch list in connection with the complaints filed against her, which included plunder. Her camp has questioned the legality of the watch list order before the Supreme Court. - KBK, GMA News