Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:
On the misdiagnosis of Doctor Lambino
[Released on August 15, 2011]
The Arroyo family is not alone in viewing the medical condition of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with concern. Since she first underwent surgery, her physicians and surgeons have issued medical bulletins on her initial surgery, recovery, discharge from the hospital, and her return due to subsequent complications. Last Saturday, however, Atty. Raul Lambino, erstwhile political spokesperson of Rep. Arroyo, donned a doctor’s gown and proceeded to issue an update on what he said, were the opinions of his principal’s doctors on her medical condition.
He quoted the doctors on potential risks and quoted Rep. Arroyo on her reasons, according to him, for declining to go abroad. His statements were carried on TV and reported online. We were asked for a reaction to Lambino’s statement and the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson commented on procedural matters: specifically, that it would be up to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to determine if she would lift, or retain, Rep. Arroyo’s being on the DOJ Watch List.
Suffice it to say that it is entirely up to the Arroyo family who they decide to deputize to speak for them, whether on medical, legal, or political issues. We are not alone in being puzzled why attorney-turned-doctor Lambino decided to comment on the medical condition of his client. We are not surprised, however, that in apparently having to make an about-face for whatever reason, he disowns his previous statements by engaging in the usual squid tactics to push the political line that Rep. Arroyo faces persecution and not justice. The opposite is true, but in the current situation, beside the point.
It will be to everyone’s benefit if Lambino leaves commentary on his principal’s medical condition to those who have given detailed medical bulletins to the public in the past—Rep. Arroyo’s doctors and surgeons.
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