Grounded ex-president

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plans to travel abroad to seek medical care for a rare bone disease has been rejected by the Department of Justice. In denying GMA’s request for an allow departure order (ADO), Secretary Leila de Lima said she has seen no exceptional reason to allow the former president to go abroad at this time as she is facing a string of charges like plunder and electoral sabotage—high crimes which are non-bailable and punishable by life imprisonment. The DOJ’s decision is significant because President Benigno Aquino III earlier announced to foreign media that his administration will file charges against GMA in November or anytime now.
Freedom of movement is a basic human right. American jurisprudence says, this “may be as close to the heart of the individual as the choice of what he eats, or wears, or reads,” which is basically what Arroyo’s lawyers are trying to point out when they insist on their client’s right to her choice of medical care wherever that may be.
To recall, GMA had a third operation last August when doctors implanted titanium around her neck. The implant was dislodged because the bones around her neck have become brittle. Women develop brittle bones as they age, but we also heard that the doctors worried about their patient’s low calcium levels. As the medical team tried to improve her situation, presumably in preparation for another round of titanium implant, we heard that she was made to wear a halo vest. The medical bulletins about GMA after her surgery last August were rather scanty, but it can be fairly assumed that she was trying to recover. Reports say the period of recovery would extend to about eight months or up to April or May next year, at which time she could be more or less prepared for another surgery.
GMA wants to go abroad for a bone biopsy, a procedure that is not available in the country. A member of the Philippine Medical Association stressed this procedure is only necessary if the patient is scheduled for operation but her medical team in St. Luke’s Medical Center is not talking about a fourth surgery. Nevertheless, medical experts pointed to “radioisotope scan, a “non-invasive” procedure which is readily available in the country.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona’s assessment concerning the former President’s situation indicate there is no life threatening reason for her to leave. A member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine Medical Association backed up Ona’s statements. Dr. Leo Olarte stressed, “there are enough doctors in the country who can treat Arroyo or any patient with metabolic bone diseases.”
Secondly, in GMA’s request for an ADO, she submitted an itinerary which Secretary De Lima described as “ambivalent.” In her previous letters to the DOJ, the former President listed United States, Singapore, Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland where she intends to get medical consultations. Then in subsequent communication to the DOJ, GMA indicated Singapore, Germany and Spain as her destinations.
De Lima said the itinerary raises risks that the DOJ cannot take, short of saying that the administration fears GMA will be beyond the reach of the law if she is allowed to leave town, especially because the countries that she listed had no existing extradition treaties with the Philippines. Even if these countries have extradition pacts with PH, I still think the DOJ should not take that risk.
The Arroyos have gone to the Supreme Court to question de Lima’s decision, saying that the state cannot deprive the former president’s right to travel. Take note, they are not simply leaning on legal points to argue their case. They are also out to win public sympathy by releasing the photos of the former President wearing a halo vest. It’s not clear if Arroyo is under medical instruction to wear the neck brace 24/7 but at more than 2 kilos as reported, it must be excruciatingly cumbersome.
Does she really intend to fly to North America, Asia and Europe in that condition? Even if she travels business class, the hassle of going through immigration at every point, waiting for luggage and ground transportation, not to mention adjusting one’s body to a new climate can take a toll on even the healthiest senior citizen. At 66 and having undergone multiple surgeries this year, she should take it very easy.
The DOJ decision would appear quite severe for Arroyo allies, but in the scheme of things, it would seem that Secretary De Lima has more concern for the ex-president’s health than her husband and lawyers, unless the foreign trip is merely an excuse for her to escape prosecution.

Good white wines that available at the wine shops in Manila and Pampanga include Puligny Montrachet, Chassagne Montrachet, Pouilly Fuisse, Corton Charlemagne, Montrachet, Batard Montrachet and Beaune. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila.

Wine lovers in Philippines can find good red wines in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of French red wines from Bordeaux are Chateau Gloria, Chateau Lafite, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Petrus, Chateau Lynch Bages, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Ausone, Chateau le Pin, Chateau Palmer, Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Carruades de Lafite, Chateau les Forts de Latour, Chateau Pichon Lalande. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila.

Wine lovers in Philippines can find good wines from France in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of French red wines from Burgundy are Domaine de La Romanee Conti or DRC, Chambertin, Pommard, Clos de Vougeot, Domaine Leroy, Bonnes Mares, La Tache, Vosne Romanee, Echeazeaux, Romanee St. Vivant, Volnay, Morey St. Denis, Nuits St. Georges. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila.

Wine lovers in Philippines can find good wines from major wine regions around the world in wine shops in Manila and Pampanga. Among the good selections of fine vintage wines from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe. Rare vintage wines from Vega Sicilia, Biondi Santi, Sassicaia as well as the Ice wine from Germany can be found in good wine shops around Manila. This makes it easy and convenient for wine lovers to buy wine in Manila

The growing array of hotel resort accommodation, recreation and entertainment facilities, places to unwind and relax, fine dining and family restaurants, bars and pubs makes it increasing easy for tourists and visitors from Manila to spend quality time in a place of leisure in Clark, Pampanga.

To many visitors from Manila, a place of leisure or a good hotel or resort in Pampanga must be located in a city that is safe, clean and not so noisy. Convenience and accessibility are important considerations in choosing a holiday destination in Philippines. Clark Freeport is probably the easiest tourist destination to reach from Manila. Clark also has its own international airport with dozens of daily flights connecting Clark directly with Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Bangkok, Malaysia and South Korea. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga. Although golf continues to be one of the reasons why visitors from Manila travel to Pampanga, residents of Angeles City, Subic and Bulacan travel to Clark not just to play golf in one of the best golf courses in Pampanga but also to relax and unwind in the best resort in Philippines.

Hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, fine dining and family restaurants, bars and pubs, entertainment, nightlife, place of leisure, sports and recreation facilities in Clark and Angeles Pampanga are showcased for the convenience of visitors planning a getaway from Manila or a weekend out of town to relax and unwind in a clean and safe city.

Spa is not the only way to unwind for people who are stressed out by Manila traffic and noise pollution.

Clearwater Resort & Country Club offers several styles of accommodation from US$65 up inclusive of breakfast for two at the beautiful Breakfast Garden Restaurant overlooking the large Clearwater lake and beach. This is a good rendition of the lifestyle that the Americans left behind after they left the Clark Airbase. A good short description of this lifestyle is suburban laid-back slow-paced clean living, very suitable for tourists and guests looking for a way to unwind from the stress of living in Manila.

In a city like Manila, most residents rely on visits to spa and beauty parlor to unwind and relax. But with a short getaway to Angeles City Clark Pampanga one can de-stress by enjoying beautiful outdoor amenities of this beach resort, savoring what nature can offer.

For reservations, comments and inquiries,

Clearwater Resort & Country Club
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

For inquiries and bookings, click here to contact Clearwater Resort now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com