Palace wishes Gloria Arroyo happiness on her birthday

Despite the bad blood between them, Malacañang on Wednesday said it wishes former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo "happiness" on her birthday.

"Binabati po natin siya sa kanyang kaarawan at sana maging maligaya ang kanyang pagdiriwang kasama ang kanyang mga mahal sa buhay," Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said during a press conference on Wednesday.

This was the Palace official's reaction after being asked about the Sandiganbayan's decision to allow Mrs. Arroyo's family to be with her on her birthday this Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Mrs. Arroyo, who will be turning 67 on April 5, is facing plunder charges in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds during her incumbency. She is undergoing treatment for a spine disease. —KG, GMA News