Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was rushed at 5 p.m. on Monday to St. Luke鈥檚 Medical Center at the Global City in Taguig City due to hypertension.
But her brother-in-law, Negros Occidental Rep Ignacio 鈥淚ggy鈥� Arroyo, however told the Inquirer that 鈥渋t was nothing serious鈥� and she was brought there more as a precaution.
Iggy said his brother, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, had been informed of his wife鈥檚 condition and was reported to be on his way to the hospital.
Former President Arroyo went straight to Porac, Pampanga province, after a long meeting earlier with members of the minority to meet with local officials in her district. She snubbed President Aquino鈥檚 State of the Nation Address.
A provincemate who accompanied the former President in her visit to Porac said he did not see Arroyo showing any sign of discomfort or pain before she left at about 5 p.m.
Sticky Blanco, secretary of the Pampanga Mayors鈥� League, said Arroyo arrived at 2:30 p.m. and went on with her schedule, visiting schools and inspecting her projects in the town.
He said the visit, originally scheduled for an hour, was extended up to 5 p.m.
Reports said Arroyo felt ill while she was on her way to Metro Manila.
Pichay visits
Marilen Lagniton, the hospital鈥檚 vice president for corporate affairs, confirmed that the former President was brought to St. Luke鈥檚 Monday afternoon but did not say why she needed immediate medical attention.
鈥淎s of now, doctors are still finding out what is bothering her,鈥欌�� Lagniton said on the phone.
Arroyo was under the care of her personal physician, Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes, according to Lagniton, who added that doctors would have a clearer assessment of the patient鈥檚 condition by Tuesday morning.
Arroyo鈥檚 son, Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel 鈥淢ikey鈥欌�� Arroyo, was seen arriving at the hospital at about 8:30 p.m.
Former Local Waters Utilities Administration Chair Prospero Pichay, an Arroyo ally, also arrived at St. Luke鈥檚 around 7 p.m. With reports from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon, and Miko Morelos in Manila