EXCLUSIVE: Face-to-face with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at VMMC
A few days after being placed under hospital arrest for allegedly committing electoral sabotage, I wrote a blog about a fictional interview with former President and now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Yesterday afternoon, I had the real thing.
I was able to visit the former president in her detention suite at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City. I did not formally interview her since doing so requires permission from Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay Regional Trial Court (of course, the ex leader has to agree to the interview first). I asked her some questions, nevertheless.
From the main gate of VMMC (the one facing North Avenue), visitors have to ride in one of the orange-painted tricycles plying inside the sprawling hospital facility to get to the 150-square meter Presidential Suite (the same facility where ousted President Joseph Estrada was briefly incarcerated back in 2001). During the five-minute travel, I realized the vast area occupied by the VMMC also serves as a golf course. Sure enough, I saw caddies and golf carts roaming all over the place.
Before getting near the suite, one has to pass through two security checkpoints. Only confirmed guests will be allowed to get inside. The name of the guest has to be submitted to members of the Philippine National Police (safe to assume there were at least 10 of them when I visited) guarding the area by noontime the day before the scheduled visit.
My schedule was confirmed by an Arroyo confidante (name withheld) two days ahead. The rules were strict. All electronic devices such as cameras, cellular phones, and iPads are not allowed inside the premises. Visitors are required to leave those behind inside their cars or, in my case, at the main desk in the detention suite’s entrance. Last December, Mupas barred Arroyo from using her laptop computer and cellphone, even in her capacity as a lawmaker.
On my way toward the suite, I saw a number of parked private vehicles. Two PNP patrol vehicles can also be seen in the area. As I signed in the daily log, I found out that local officials from Sasmuan, Pampanga (one of Arroyo’s constituencies) were there for a meeting. Much to my embarrassment, my long umbrella triggered an alarm in the metal detector – prompting officials to frisk me. Soon, visitor number 17 was led into the suite’s spacious receiving area by a female Arroyo staffer (not the one who facilitated my visit).
The receiving area is adorned with four framed Arroyo family pictures – three were placed near a lampshade while the other one is hanging on the wall. I sat in a flesh sofa right across the long table where Arroyo is having the meeting. I arrived 20 minutes earlier than scheduled, and while waiting, a male staffer gave me a plateful of pancit with siomai and a glass of Coke for merienda.
The air-conditioned room has two pairs of fluorescent lights, four ceiling lamps, and a Devant flat screen TV. The music playing in the background breaks the monotony of the human voices heard inside the suite. The entire area has shiny wooden flooring. I saw Ms Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s spokesperson, in the background.
Not long after, my contact approached me to give last minute instructions. The former president will leave the meeting for a few minutes to talk to me. At last, the woman once labeled by Financial Times as the “Iron Lady of Asia” was on her way toward where I was seated. “Hi! Thanks for the visit!” she told me. Clad in a gray dress with black imprints and her hair down, the former president is not wearing her neck brace during our chat. A day earlier, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, her brother-in-law, died of cardiac arrest in London.
Apart from expressing my condolences, I asked the former president how she is feeling. She told me she still feels sick occasionally and that she continues having difficulty swallowing. She added that she does not maintain a fixed schedule of activities while in VMMC. Before she stood up to return to the meeting, I asked her to write a brief note for me – and she readily obliged.
PS: If the Commission on Elections will have its way, the Pampanga lawmaker might soon be transferred to a regular detention facility. Please also note that the former President has granted one media interview since she was placed under arrest (the one with GMA News’ Arnold Clavio).
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Interesting, Mark! How were you able to?! Although I’m sure it would have been great if you had written this feature-style, including remembering much of the quotes and placed them up. Or it’s just me.
Now I wonder what I could have asked her? I’m sure there were restrictions no?
I agree, Kuya. However, it is difficult to get quotes. First, our encounter was just around 5 minutes, and second, since I technically didn’t go there for an interview, I can’t be seen taking notes super often.
Actually, I have listed some questions for her but I didn’t get to ask most of them. 🙁
What did she write on the note? Are you allowed to show it? How was she in person?
Hi, Miss Kathy. I can show it, but it’s just a brief “Thank You” note with her signature in it. I think she’s doing better than two months ago.
Wow galing, exclusive to mark jejeje;) i am not against or in arroyo’s side pero sna pagaling na cya at harapin na cases nya… Para malinis pangalan nya or managot;)
I agree. I’m sure Filipinos are already tired of these unresolved charges. Kailangang maresolba na ang mga ito talaga. 🙂
From fiction to intention, your account is so clear. It vivid describes the things inside the VMMC from caddie to the real stuffs. You’re a very keen observer. You’ve the ears and eyes to hear and see within your reach. But due to ethical consideration, though the former PGMA had been allegedly charged of electoral sabotage and to be proven beyond reasonable doubt, you’ve given her due respect and kept delicate and sensitive matters within yourself. I like that kind of attitude. You’re a professional for that matter. Since she spent her 5-minute time with you just to give “thanks” for your visit and to be with herself by telling you frankly of her difficulty in swallowing foods. Of course, literally and physically she’s sick of the intrigues and issues hurled to her. She’s a human being. She deserves to be respected and treated like a human. She’s still in her sense. She maintains her composure. Congratz! You did what a professional media should be. This is on how I analyze your first hand account of your visit to former PGMA and a congresswoman.
Hi, Sir Gil. Thank you so much for your lengthy analysis to my account. GMA may be one of the most reviled figures in the country right now, but I believe she still deserves to be heard. Honestly, the cases filed against he should be promptly resolves for the country’s sake.
Wow! Great experience! Congrats! You’re now officially “linked” to GMA. =)
Hahaha. Kuya Sebs, I was just able to visit her. Hindi pa naman kami “linked.” 🙂