CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines (PNA) — Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who said he visited former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before she was arrested, said he did not get the impression that the Pampanga congresswoman was pretending to be ill. “I suppose she was not pretending. Otherwise, why would she receive me?” he said.

Vidal, 80, said he visited Arroyo at the St. Luke’s Medical Center two weeks ago. During his visit, he said he advised Arroyo, “Just pray. Be patient with whatever the Lord is giving you.”

He said he also told her to accept that this is “a purification period for you.”

The Supreme Court has issued a temporary restraining order that would have allowed Arroyo to seek treatment abroad, but immigration officials kept her from boarding a flight to Singapore last November 15.

After three days, the Commission on Elections filed a case of electoral sabotage against her and several other officials, which led to her arrest while she was in the hospital.

Vidal said he offered prayers for the past president.

When she was president, Arroyo would visit Cardinal Vidal in his Cebu residence whenever she was in the City.

She also attended significant church celebrations, including the 75th anniversary of Cebu as an archdiocese in April 2009.