DISMAYED: PNoy HITS COURT DECISION TO GRANT GMA
BAIL
[PHOTO - Former President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo walks hand in hand with grandson, Diggy Arroyo, as she leaves
the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). With her are daughter-in-law Kakai
Manotok Arroyo and grandson, Nacho.]
MANILA,
JULY 27, 2012
(ABS-CBN) By Willard Cheng - President Aquino expressed dismay
over the decision of Pasay Regional Trial Court branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas to
allow former President Arroyo to post bail.
In an interview with reporters, Aquino said Mupas used a very strict standard
of proof in looking for corroborative evidence proving Mrs. Arroyo ordered
Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. to rig the 2007 elections.
Aquino said it is "impossible" to obtain such corroborative evidence since
there is no other witness to the alleged instruction of Mrs. Arroyo to Ampatuan
other than former Maguindanao provincial administrator Norie Unas.
"Alangan naman nating isipin na magbibigay ng testimonya 'yung dalawa laban
sa sarili nila. So pwede nang testigo 'yung isa. Paano kaya tayo magkakaroon ng
corroborative, 'yung makaka-susuog, makakasang-ayon doon sa binanggit na
pag-uusap nitong dalawa? So medyo ang taas naman yata ng test na parang
imposible na ma-attain dahil wala nang ibang nakarinig ng kanilang usapan doon
sa issue ng electoral faud," the President said.
Aquino is waiting for the decision of the Sandiganbayan on whether it would
issue a warrant of arrest against Mrs. Arroyo who was charged with plunder over
the alleged misuse of PCSO funds.
Plunder is a non-bailable offense.
"Meron pang case pending before the Sandiganbayan, plunder. And plunder is
non-bailable also. So hinihintay natin 'yung decision ng Sandiganbayan," he
said.
Gloria Arroyo leaves VMMC ABS-CBNnews.com Posted
at 07/25/2012 2:39 PM | Updated as of 07/25/2012 11:01 PM
MANILA, Philippines (5th UPDATE) – Former President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo, a key target in the government's anti-corruption fight, was granted bail
on election fraud charges on Wednesday and walked out of an Army hospital where
she had been detained since December.
But Arroyo could soon be back in detention with government lawyers seeking
another arrest warrant from the anti-graft court, Sandiganbayan, over charges of
plunder over alleged misuse of state lottery funds, a non-bailable criminal
offense.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo walks hand in hand with grandson,
Diggy Arroyo, as she leaves the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). With
her are daughter-in-law Kakai Manotok Arroyo and grandson, Nacho. Footage taken
by ABS-CBN News showed the 65-year-old Arroyo walking hand in hand with her
grandson, Nacho Arroyo, outside the hospital before boarding a white van at
around 2:30 p.m.
Television footage briefly showed her smiling and waving to supporters as her
convoy made its way to her house.
Her legal spokesman, Raul Lambino, said some of the former President's
supporters wept tears of joy when the order for Arroyo's release was finally
delivered to the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).
"It got quite emotional a while ago when the release order was delivered," he
said.
Arroyo's release came on the same day a Pasay City regional trial court
allowed her to post bail of P1 million in the electoral sabotage case against
her.
Arroyo was arrested at an exclusive hospital shortly after immigration
authorities blocked her at Manila airport while trying to leave the country in
November.
Arroyo was charged with electoral sabotage, a crime punishable with life in
jail, for allegedly conspiring with a feared political warlord to rig the 2007
senatorial elections.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino III, had vowed to have her brought to justice
for many acts of corruption he alleged she committed during her nine years in
office that ended in 2010.
Arroyo has also been charged with corruption for approving an allegedly
graft-tainted contract to set up a national government broadband system as well
as siphoning off $8 million in state lottery funds.
Medical treatment abroad?
In an interview, Arroyo's daughter, Luli Arroyo-Bernas, thanked the court for
granting her mother's bail petition.
"We thank God and all the people who are praying for her," she said in a
television interview, her voice cracking with emotion.
She insisted her mother was innocent and that the bail decision showed
"there's still hope that justice can prevail in the country."
Arroyo's family and lawyers said the former leader would seek further
treatment for her ailment, and may consider going overseas. She underwent spine
surgery last year.
"We will bring her to an alternative treatment facility," said Arroyo-Bernas.
"We'll do everything possible to make her well again."
Many fear she might escape prosecution once she leaves detention. In November
2011, she attempted to leave for Hong Kong for treatment but was stopped at the
airport by government agents. Days later, she was arrested on election fraud
charges.
Arroyo, a sitting member of the lower house of Congress, will have to get
permission from three separate courts before travelling abroad.
Arroyo's daughter said her mother is set to go to Tagaytay City on Thursday
to visit an alternative medical facility.
Arroyo camp caught unawares
Arroyo's chief of staff, Elena Bautista Horn, urged the media to give the
former President time alone with the family.
"Let us be considerate enough to give her the chance to make up for lost time
with her children and grandchildren and let us help her to continue and support
her recuperation from her ailment," she said in a statement.
She said the Arroyo family was caught unawares by the Pasay court's decision
allowing Arroyo to post bail.
She also said the Arroyo family made no preparations for the former
President's return to her La Vista Subdivision home.
"Hindi rin kami nakahanda sa mga pangyayari ngayong araw...Wala kaming
paghahanda. Wala kaming pagkain dito," she said.
She also noted Arroyo already wants to return to work as congresswoman of
Pampanga's 2nd District but was prevailed upon to rest.
Meanwhile, visitors of Arroyo flocked her home in La Vista Wednesday night.
Among those seen entering Arroyo's home were House Minority Leader Danilo
Suarez and Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado. -- Reports from Reuters
and Agence France-Presse; Chiara Zambrano, ABS-CBN News
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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