MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday issued a challenge to the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Let her doctors -- and not her spokespersons -- speak about her medical condition and prove that her ailment is life-threatening.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the testimony of the doctors is needed to determine the validity of Arroyo's petition to stay in the hospital while her case is being heard, as well as her request to travel abroad to seek medical treatment.

Lacierda said the doctors should testify in court.

"Bakit sila natatakot [na] ang doktor nila ang magsalita? Kung kayo ay nagsasabi na may sakit ang aming kliyente, ano ang dapat na pruweba na ilalabas? Hindi ang spokesperson. Hindi ang tagapagsalita. Ang dapat magpatunay 'yung mismong doktor nila. So ang hamon ko sa kanila, ilabas nila 'yung doktor. Ilabas ang doktor at siya ang magpatunay na talagang life-threatening ang medical condition ng kanilang pasyente," he said.

To erase doubts, government lawyers want the Supreme Court to summon Arroyo's doctors to answer two questions -- why can't doctors in the Philippines treat Arroyo, and and why does the former President have to remain under hospital arrest at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig?

Public hospital?

"Iyung kalagayan ba niya necessitates na nasa private hospital siya? Baka kailangan sa public hospital or sa jail facility na kaya naman i-treat," Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said.

"The doctors are not lawyers, they will just be there as resource person, I don't think it is impossible to do," said Solicitor General Atty. Anselmo Cadiz.

Some senators echoed the sentiment, saying Arroyo's real medical condition remains a puzzle to them.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee plans to summon the former President's doctors to a hearing.

"Ang pinakabuod nitong kontrobersya, sinasabi ni GMA urgent at life-threatening ang kondisyon niya, eh doon mismo sa certification na sinubmit ng kanyang mga doktor, sinabi doon GMA will be fully recovered in 6 to 8 months," said committe chairman Sen. Teofisto Guingona III.

Arroyo is under temporary hospital arrest as she faces electoral sabotage charges at the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC).

On Wednesday, her camp formally filed a motion for hospital arrest.

The Arroyo camp attached a medical certificate to their motion, saying the former president has anorexia and still suffers from neck and lower back pain.

On Friday, Pasay RTC Judge Jesus Mupas will hold a hearing on the motion by the Arroyo camp to keep her under hospital arrest.

No VIP treatment

Judge Mupas said the former President will not be given any special treatment.

"Wala pong VIP treatment. The public can rest assured na ang gagawin lang natin ay kung ano ang nararapat," he said.

Mupas, who has been a judge for more than 10 years, said this is the most high-profile case he has handled.

Additional security has also been given to him.

"Tumatawag yung mga kaibigan natin sinasabi mag-ingat ako," he said. "Medyo mas restricted ang galaw ko ngayon kasi meron nang mga kasama, di tulad ng dati."

Mupas said he is ready for the challenges ahead, as he conducts the trial on the first case filed against former President Arroyo in court.

'Thrice the speed' vs corrupt

During the 75th anniversary program of the National Bureau of Investigation, President Benigno Aquino said that the government will run after the corrupt "thrice the speed," dismissing criticisms that his administration has been too aggressive in prosecuting misis arroyo.

"Nitong mga huling araw, naglipana na naman po ang mga walang katuturang patutsada at mga kuwentong barbero laban sa atin. Masyado daw tayong agresibo sa paghabol sa mga tiwali't nagkasala. Ang sagot ko sa kanila: kung gaano sila ka-agresibo sa pagkakamal ng salapi ng taumbayan noon, magiging triple ang pagharurot natin para panagutin sila ngayon. Handa akong gawin ito dahil nasa panig ko ang katwiran at katotohanan," Aquino said.

He added that others will also be made accountable, regardless of their status in life.

"Basurero ka man o dating Pangulo; drayber ka man o mahistrado; kapag inagrabyado mo ang sambayanang Pilipino, dapat lamang na habulin at panagutin ka sa iyong mga atraso," Aquino said.

However, Arroyo's allies still took a swipe at Aquino, saying the current administration is too focused on going after the former President that it forgot about the economy and address the rising prices of gasoline, power and other commodities.

"If there's anybody who hasn't moved on, it's the administration. They're so obsessed with (Arroyo) they forgot we have pressing problems," Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay said. - reports from Willard Cheng and Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News; ANC