Filipino expatriates in Dubai are divided as to whether or not former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be allowed to seek medical help abroad.
Arroyo, now a lawmaker, has been given the go signal by the Supreme Court to get medical treatment abroad for her bone mineral disorder. Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, were barred from boarding their flight on Tuesday night because of a watch list order by the Department of Justice. Arroyo is facing eletoral sabotage and plunder complaints. No charges has so far been filed in court.
ROWENA NABUA, Nurse, Healthcare City: "If Mrs. Arroyo can have the operation in the Philippines where there are also competent medical professionals, why can't she have it there? Why does she have to seek treatment abroad? That is not necessary. Allowing her to leave will just give her a chance to avoid facing the anomalies being hurled against her back home. If we let her leave, there will be delay in the justice system once again. We can't let her have her way all the time, that is a difficult proposition."
IBRAHIM BELTRAN, Security Manager, Dubai: "I researched Mrs. Arroyo's condition and based on what I learned, it's not as life threatening as cancer or other illnesses. And remember, the countries where she wants to go to for medication have no extradition treaties with the Philippines. That just means that we will have no hold of her from there once she decides to escape. This will have a grave impact on the Aquino Administration and our quest for justice."
JOSEPHINE ROXAS, Accountant, Karama: "Cong. Arroyo has the right to choose where she wants to have the medical treatments done. But I really think that if she has pending issues to face in the Philippines, then I'd rather that she face them first and postpone her trip abroad."
EL-JAY MAMUNGAY, Civil Engineer, Abu Dhabi: "I think that Mrs. Arroyo is just trying to evade the cases that will be filed against her. If she is innocent, then she should prove it by staying in the country. We have excellent doctors in the Philippines who can attend to her needs. Her plan to go abroad simply shows her lack of faith in our medical professionals back home. That's just disappointing to come from a former president of the country."
SHERYLL UY-BANGALAN, Housewife, Dubai: "Her condition is not a matter of life and death. News reports from the Philippines also state that she is recuperating. I'm just wondering why she only had this condition after she stepped down from the presidency. And why just now after all these years? It can be noted that most leaders here who get involved in anomalies immediately get sick once the case gets highlighted in the public eye. That has become a trend. Please, deal with the issue first."
DAN CALMA, Clearing agent clerk, Jebel Ali: "Legally speaking, it is Mrs. Arroyo's right to travel and seek medical attention abroad. If there are no legal constraints, then why should the government stop her from leaving? Yes, she might escape once she's out and that might pose threats on our [Philippine] security and stability. But we have no legal basis not to let her leave."
