Clinton: US would consider Arroyo’s treatment bid

Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is photographed wearing a three-kilo steel brace. JOAN BONDOC/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines—US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has not requested to go to the United States while being investigated for corruption.

Arroyo was blocked Tuesday from boarding a plane at the Manila airport to seek medical treatment abroad because authorities fear she may not return to face the charges.

Answering a question at a town hall meeting with Filipinos during her visit to Manila, Clinton said Wednesday that if Arroyo made a request to go to the US, “we would look at that.”

Clinton said any assistance to Arroyo would depend on the request she made.

Arroyo has had a close relationship with the Clintons, being a classmate of former president Bill Clinton at Georgetown University.