A+AA- PNP bars snapshots of GMA with visitors Written by Charlie V. Manalo Sunday, 02 February 2014 00:00 font size Print 7 comments With more and more political and religious leaders paying former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a visit in her detention room at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), all of them seeking a just and humane treatment for the former head of state, crying in unison that she be granted bail to seek treatment for her medical condition, the Aquino administration, in turn, has barred Mrs. Arroyo from being photographed with her guests, tantamount to imposing a news blackout on who is visiting the former leader. A text message from one of the insiders in the Arroyo camp bared that the administration, through the Philippine National Police (PNP) which had been tasked to secure Mrs. Arroyo at the VMMC, had informed them that the former President will no longer be allowed to have her photographs taken with her guests even outside of her detention room. The insider who requested anonymity said the new restriction might have something to do with the influx of prominent political and religious leaders, including allies and relatives of President Aquino who have trooped to the VMMC, all of them asking the Aquino administration to grant bail to the former leader given the weak evidence mainly testimonies presented against her in the P366 million plunder case involving alleged misuse of the confidential intelligence fund (CIF) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Among those who have paid Mrs. Arroyo a visit were former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph “Erap” Estrada, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz, evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva and presidential cousin, former Congressman Mark Cojuangco. Also slated to visit is presidential aunt Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco. The latest restriction has prompted a Catholic priest to accuse the Aquino administration of resorting to torturing the former president. “This government is really reeking in vengeance. What are they afraid of?” said the priest. “She is not only being harassed, she is now being tortured,” he added. Cruz and Marcos have also earlier accused the administration of employing persecution and political vendetta behind the continued detention of Arroyo. Last Friday, lawyer Raul Lambino, Mrs. Arroyo’s chief of staff, bared that 12 nuns representing three religious congregations visited the former president. Lambino said the Arroyo family is grateful for the compassion and support shown by those who visited her. “She is now being punished for something that has not been proven yet,” he said. “These visits and outpouring of support from non-partisan groups like the church leaders give her much comfort and keep her and family to fight for truth and justice,” said Lambino. Leading the group of nuns who saw Arroyo at her hospital detention quarters yesterday were Mother Superior Maria Clarita Balleque, RVM, and Sisters Fely De Claro and Domitilla Enriquez. Also in the guests list were Sisters Ma. Julia Advincula, RVM; Ma Catherine Legion, RVM; Gertrudes Roldan, RVM; Selviana Kune, RVM; Ma. Ana Rosita Ferreira, RVM; Maria Doris, RVM: Miriam Eballar, RDW; Bernadette Mahomoc, SDS, and Teresa Villena, OP. Lawyer Larry Gadon, one of Mrs. Arroyo’s legal advisers, said Sister De Claro confided to Arroyo that many other sisters also wanted to see Arroyo but were tied with commitments to the celebration of the three-day Youth Congress sponsored by the Catholic Church. “But we know all of them will pray for Rep. Arroyo’s health and her fight to seek truth and justice,” Gadon said. Just hours after the nuns left, Mrs. Arroyo’s Facebook friend staged a candlelight vigil outside the VMMC, demanding justice for the detained former leader. Friday’s candlelight vigil was the second as Mrs. Arroyo’s friends in the social network had already staged one two weeks ago. However, Mrs. Arroyo’s Facebook friends vowed they would never stop supporting the former president, promising to comeback for more vigils and other forms of mass action until Mrs. Arroyo is freed from detention. “We’re holding more vigils at VMMC in support of CGMA,” Jomel Ace Esperancilla, one Mrs. Arroyo’s friends posted in a Facebook page dedicated to the former president. Published in Headlines
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 10:39:25 +0000