SECURITY REASON: NO XMAS AT HOME FOR GMA / GMA DONATES SALARY TO VICTIMS
MANILA, DECEMBER 23, 2011 (STAR) By Perseus Echeminada - There will be no Christmas furlough for Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is under hospital arrest for electoral sabotage, a non bailable offense.
Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Jesus Mupas denied yesterday the motion of the former president to spend Christmas in her Quezon City residence from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2. Mupas also rejected her request to be allowed to use a laptop and her mobile phone while detained at the government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City. The Commission on Elections had strongly objected to Arroyo's requests.
"Why am I not allowed?" was all Arroyo could mutter upon learning of the court's decision, according to Sheriff Rodel Buenviaje.
But Malacañang lauded the court order. "We have always maintained that there should be no special treatment accorded to Mrs. Arroyo and that arrangement should be made with due respect to her condition," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
Mupas said he had to turn down Arroyo's requests for security reasons. He cited the serious security concerns when she was transferred from St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City to the VMMC recently.
"Besides, this (decision) would avoid possible unnecessary security problems and complaints of residents of La Vista as they would be subjected to security restriction should Congreswoman Arroyo be allowed to stay at La Vista," he said.
But he stressed the court is allowing Arroyo's family members, including her grandchildren, to stay with her in her VMMC suite from Dec. 24 until noon the following day and from Dec. 31 until noon of Jan. 2, 2012.
The court also allowed her access to radio and television as well as an hour for some sun within the VMMC premises. She has also been allowed to attend masses in the VMCC chapel. Her lawyers would also be allowed to bring their mobile phones and laptops inside her suite.
Explaining his decision to bar Arroyo from using a laptop or a mobile phone, Mupas cited a Supreme Court ruling preventing anyone under preventive detention or serving sentence from practicing his profession or engaging in business or any occupation.
"The confinement of Cong. Arroyo has constitutional foundation wherein its purpose is for the administration of justice, which cannot be countenanced, otherwise it would be an injury to our penal system," Mupas said.
Mupas has set for Jan. 9 the hearing on the motion to recall the warrant for Arroyo's arrest.
Buenviaje, meanwhile, said Arroyo was visibly disappointed when told of the court order. "Naturally, she wants to spend Christmas at home. She was wondering why she was not allowed," he said.
He said only an aide was with Arroyo when she was handed a copy of the order. He said hospital and police authorities were also given copies of the order. - With Aurea Calica, Reinir Padua
FROM ABS-CBN
Arroyo donates salary to Sendong victims abs-cbnNEWS.com Posted at 12/21/2011 12:26 PM | Updated as of 12/21/2011 7:03 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Despite her ongoing legal woes, former President and current Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo still wants to do her share in helping victims of tropical storm Sendong.
In a handwritten message distributed by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, Mrs. Arroyo said she and members of the House minority bloc will donate their salaries to jumpstart the collection of donations for Sendong victims.
"Ako at ang minorya sa mababang kapulungan ay nag-aalay ng aming sahod upang umpisahan ang paglikom pondo upang makatugon sa agarang pangangailangan ng mga apektado nating kababayan sa mga lugar na nasalanta lalung lalu na sa Cagayan de Oro iligan at mga karatig lugar," she said.
She said the donations will be coursed through Caritas, Red Cross and other charitable organizations chosen by minority lawmakers.
In her message, the former President urged Filipinos to do away with lavish Christmas parties this year and instead use the money to help the victims of Sendong.
----------------------------------------------------------
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
----------------------------------------------------------
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/phnotweet
This is the PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE (PHNO) Mailing List.
To stop receiving our news items, please send a blank e-mail addressed to: phno-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Please visit our homepage at: http://www.newsflash.org/
(c) Copyright 2009. All rights reserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------
