(Updated 7:56 p.m.) Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was served an arrest warrant last week for a plunder case, was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) Friday for the treatment of a heart-related condition believed to be caused by stress.

According to a report from GMA News TV, Arroyo was brought to the hospital's ICU because of coronary ischemia — a condition that affects the flow of blood to the heart.

Arroyo, the current congresswoman of Pampanga’s second district, was having chest pains that requires immediate attention, VMMC head Dr. Nona Legaspi said.

"Ischemia should not be taken lightly," Legaspi said at a news briefing.



Legaspi said the former President did not have any difficulty breathing.

She could not say how long Arroyo would stay in the ICU, saying it depends on how fast her condition will improve.

Legaspi said stress could be a factor for Arroyo's ischemia. "The number one cause of any pathology in the heart is stress," she said.
 
No need for surgery

But Arroyo would not need surgery, only constant monitoring, Legaspi said.

Efforts to reach Arroyo's spokespersons Elena Bautista-Horn and Raul Lambino for comment and updates on her condition have been unsuccessful.

Arroyo was brought to the VMMC on Thursday last week because of dehydration and body weakness.

A day earlier, the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against her and her co-accused in connection with the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds during her administration. The warrant was served to Arroyo on Thursday at the VMMC.

On Tuesday, Arroyo filed a motion asking the anti-graft court to allow her to be placed under hospital arrest while her plunder case is being heard. The court will tackle the motion Thursday next week.

Doctor subpoenaed

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan has subpoenaed Legaspi to testify on October 18 regarding Arroyo's health.

A report on GMA News TV’s QRT quoted Legaspi as saying that she has no problem with being questioned by the court to explain Arroyo's condition.



This is the second time that Arroyo is facing hospital arrest at the VMMC. She stayed there from December last year to July this year after she was ordered arrested in connection with an electoral sabotage case she is facing before a Pasay City court.

Arroyo, who was linked to alleged irregularities in the 2007 elections, was later released after she posted bail.
 
The former president is facing another plunder charge in connection with the allegedly anomalous national broadband network deal her administration entered with Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

Despite her ailments, Arroyo is seeking re-election in next year’s midterm elections. - KBK/YA/HS, GMA News