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.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/91567/grounded-ex-president

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is 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.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

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

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:

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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. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. 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

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

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com