Speaker says GMA should have access to cellphone

MANILA, Philippines - Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be allowed to use her mobile telephones and laptop computer while under detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Belmonte said he agreed with the position of House Minority Leader and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that their detained colleague must be allowed to communicate with her constituents and continue performing her duties as a lawmaker.

Lagman earlier wrote a letter to Belmonte seeking his assistance on the matter.

“I agree with him (Lagman). She (Arroyo) should be allowed to communicate (with her constituents). So far she is a detainee but she is also a congresswoman and I think it’s (allowing the use of telephone and computer) not really going to greatly affect the interest of the state if she has a chance to communicate,” Belmonte said.

But he said the matter is up to the Pasay Regional Trial Court, which is handling the electoral sabotage case against Arroyo.

Former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo had lashed out at the Aquino administration for imposing restrictions on his wife, saying some are violating her constitutional rights.

The former chief executive was not allowed to have a television or radio in her suite at the VMMC and her request to be allowed to attend daily Masses had been rejected.

Arroyo said he is verifying reports that Malacañang also plans to ban him from staying with the former leader. 

This developed as supporters of the former president trooped to VMMC again yesterday. Arroyo’s supporters, mostly residents of Navotas and Quezon cities, arrived at around noon carrying white and yellow candles. 

They said they were praying that the Pampanga lawmaker would be detained at home if not released from detention. Arroyo’s supporters stayed until around 3:20 p.m.            – With Reinir Padua