Arroyo ally roots for VP Binay, hopes for softer stance on ex-leader

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — An ally of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is rooting for Vice President Jejomar Binay with hopes that he will have a softer stance on the detained former leader.

"Hindi niya palalayain si GMA (initials of Arroyo) dahil may kaso pero papayagan niyang magpagamot," former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo told supporters at the Angeles City Hall as he introduced Binay, who was campaigning in the province.

Arroyo is currently on hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in connection with the graft and plunder caes she is facing before the Sandiganbayan.

"Baka mamatay sa Veterans... Papayagan niyang pagamot sapagkat siya ay senior citizen, isang babae," Pelayo said, noting Arroyo's deteriorating health condition.

"Masyado na siyang payat, bakit 'di pa pabayaan? Kaya dapat iboto natin si Jojo Binay para matulungan ang mga Kapampangan," Pelayo said in the local language.

Also present when Binay visited the city hall were other Arroyo allies like former Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.

Arroyo, despite her detention and health condition, is seeking re-election in the May elections as representative of Pampanga's second district. —KBK, GMA News