Arroyo denied permission to travel

MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Former Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo won't be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad for an endocrine disorder, a government official said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told the Philippines ABS-CBN News that her request to travel has been denied because her condition, hypoparathroidism, is not life threatening.

De Lima said another reason for the denial is the countries Arroyo listed in her request do not have extradition treaties with the Philippines and there is no guarantee she would return to face election fraud charges.

Arroyo spokeswoman Elena Bautista-Horn said Monday the former president's request to seek medical treatment abroad should have been approved.

National security, public safety or public health are the only reasons under the constitution that such a request can be denied, Bautista-Horn said.

Hypoparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder in which the parathyroid glands in the neck fail to produce enough parathyroid hormone necessary for maintaining adequate calcium levels in the blood.