Arroyo cancels trip to Singapore

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's planned trip to Singapore Thursday for medical treatment has been canceled, her spokeswoman said.

Spokeswoman Elena Bautista-Horn said Arroyo, 64, who has a bone disorder, decided against taking the trip because of high blood pressure, the Manila Bulletin reported.

Arroyo, under a travel ban by the current government, and her husband were stopped Tuesday at the Manila airport by immigration authorities from leaving the country despite a Supreme Court temporary restraining order against a watch-list order on her.

It was later reported that she would be seek to leave Thursday for her treatment in Singapore.

"What is sure is that she will not attempt to leave the country today [Thursday]. She said she feels weak after what happened last Tuesday," Horn was quoted as saying.

Horn said Arroyo would again try to leave on Friday, even though Philippine Justice Department Secretary Leila De Lima that authorities will not honor the court's temporary restraining order until resolution of a government motion for reconsideration, the Bulletin reported.

Horn said the decision to leave would depend on Arroyo's blood pressure, and confirmation of rescheduled appointment with her Singapore doctors.

"Once we get a confirmation we would want to leave immediately. We stand by her constitutional right to travel," Horn said.

Arroyo currently is staying at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig.

GMA News reported the Supreme Court will hold a hearing Friday to discuss the issue.

On Tuesday, authorities stopped the Arroyos from leaving as the government wanted to see the Supreme Court decision before releasing her passport from a federal watch list. The government has said it fears the Arroyos would try to flee the country to escape criminal prosecution.