MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is detained on electoral sabotage charges, should not be transferred to an ordinary jail cell because she still needs medical treatment, her lawyer said Friday.

Atty. Ferdinand Topacio quoted Dr. Antonio Sison, an orthopedic surgeon at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), who said that the Pampanga lawmaker still needs intensive therapy.

Sison told Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Friday that Mrs. Arroyo is suffering from cervical and lumbar osteoarthritis. However, he added that Arroyo can be treated as an out-patient.

Topacio said the Arroyo camp will place itself "at the mercy of the court" on a motion filed by the Commission on Elections to have the former President moved to a regular jail cell.

"We will just leave it to the court to make a determination on whether she should stay or not," he said in an interview on ANC's Top Story.

He reiterated that it is best that Mrs. Arroyo remain at the VMMC to ensure her health.

"We should err on the side of prudence especially if it concerns the health of a person," he added.

Iggy Arroyo wake

The Arroyo camp has also filed an urgent motion for the former President to attend the wake of her brother-in-law, the late Negros Occidental Rep. Iggy Arroyo.

"Ang kahilingan niya, she should be allowed to attend the entire wake. Kulturang Pilipino na we pay our last respects," Topacio said.

He shrugged off security concerns if Arroyo visits the wake.

"I believe the PNP may just be overreacting. I believe they're well-equipped," he said.