GMA’s health condition deteriorating, says daughter

MANILA, Philippines – The health condition of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues to deteriorate, her daughter Luli Arroyo-Bernas said yesterday.

“Her condition is not improving, unfortunately,” Arroyo-Bernas told reporters during a gathering of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1991 at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Arroyo-Bernas is an honorary member of PMA Sambisig Class.

She expressed doubt whether President Aquino will allow her mother to be placed under house arrest out of compassion for the former president.

“I doubt if he will ever listen,” she said.

Arroyo-Bernas, however, said the family has not lost faith in the justice system.

She expressed belief that the court would allow her mother to post bail.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has ruled that Arroyo’s continuous detention violates international law.

The UN body asked the government to grant her bail.

Arroyo is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on plunder charges for alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

Meanwhile, Arroyo-Bernas and Sen. Grace Poe met at the PMA event yesterday.

Members of PMA Class 1991 paid tribute to their fallen mistahs.

The batch is adopting Poe as a member of the class in time for its alumni homecoming in Baguio City in February 2016.

The two were cordial to each other during the event.

When asked to comment on the move to adopt Poe, the former president’s daughter said: “I have no issue with that. I mean, why would I feel awkward? It’s not my decision. It’s my class’ decision.”

Poe even recognized Arroyo-Bernas in her speech.

Arroyo defeated Poe’s adoptive father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., in the 2004 presidential race.

The senator’s mother, actress Susan Roces, had accused Arroyo of stealing the presidency from her husband.