DON'T PUT GMA IN JAIL
MANILA, FEBRUARY 11, 2012 (ABS-CBN) Former First Gentleman Jose
Miguel "Mike" Arroyo on Thursday welcomed an order from the Regional Trial Court
of Pasay City to allow his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, to
stay under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
The Arroyos' lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said the court issued the decision
after hearing the opinion of the former President's doctors.
"[It] should lay to rest all speculations that the former President is
feigning her illness, or that she is well enough to be transferred to an
ordinary cell," Topacio said.
He also claimed that Arroyo needs to undergo another operation but her
doctors believe that she may not yet be able to withstand the operation.
"We thank all those who have offered prayers for her speedy recovery, who
have wished her well, and all those who have publicly expressed their opinion
that she continue to be accorded the courtesy and respect," he added.
He also said the Arroyos are thanking people who have expressed their
condolences over the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo.
"Rest assured that the Arroyos will never forget their solicitude and loyalty
during these trying times in the family's history."
EARLIER NEWS REPORTS
Enrile: Don't put Gloria in regular jail
ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 01/27/2012 5:24 PM | Updated as of
01/27/2012 8:43 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile on Friday
said he does not want former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo transferred to a
regular jail.
"Siguro naman igalang natin 'yung former president ng bansa. We must treat
her with a certain degree of civility and dignity," Enrile said.
Lawyers of the Commission on Election have filed an omnibus motion before
Pasay City Regional Trial Court, asking for the transfer of the former president
from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to a regular detention facility.
Enrile said that until Mrs. Arroyo is proven guilty of electoral sabotage,
authorities should not be strict on her and risk being "oppressive."
"If she is going to be convicted, then punish her. But before that, at least
given the fact that she has handled this country for 9 years, I think we have to
be very careful. Baka naman maging too oppressive tayo, too rigid," he said.
Mrs. Arroyo is under hospital arrest based on a warrant issued by a Pasay
trial court.
Arroyo, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and former election
supervisor Lintang Bedol have been charged with electoral sabotage, a
non-bailable offense under Philippine law. -- Report from Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN
News
2 senators warn Aquino against jailing Arroyo Honasan,
Santiago fear int'l backlash By Cathy Yamsuan Philippine Daily
Inquirer 1:05 am | Monday, November 28th,
Two senators on Sunday warned the Aquino administration against
possible international backlash if it insisted on holding former President and
now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a police detention
facility, and urged she be placed instead under house arrest.
One of the senators, Gregorio Honasan, also said that Mr. Aquino's current
high trust rating among Filipinos would make it difficult for any restive
elements in the military to move against the government "but let's not tempt
fate."
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said in a separate interview that she did
not think "it's fitting" to keep the former President in a police facility and
added, in Filipino: "Let's not embarrass her that way. So better put her under
house arrest."
State prosecutors have said that Arroyo, who has been placed under hospital
arrest after being accused of election sabotage in connection with the 2007
senatorial polls, should be held in the Southern Police District's (SPD) public
information office, which is being transformed into detention quarters.
Honasan said the government could send the wrong signal to the global
community, particularly foreign investors.
"I don't see anything wrong with house arrest," Honasan said in an interview.
"The world is watching and whatever way we treat the ex-President would send a
strong message of what we are to the rest of the world."
If the ailing Arroyo is not given consideration, "foreign investors would
think, 'If this is how they behave, why would we invest?'" said the former Army
colonel.
Estrada precedent
Santiago warned that subjecting Arroyo to "humiliation" by keeping her in a
police facility "would also result in damage to democracy and our institutions.
If we humiliate the former President, it would damage the presidency," she said.
Santiago said there was no evidence "that an army of [Arroyo] supporters
would attack, overpower the guards and take her away" and that fears of Arroyo
escaping prosecution remained speculative.
She asked Malacañang to consider as a precedent the case of former President
Joseph "Erap" Estrada.
"First, [Estrada] was in the detention cell (in Sta. Rosa, Laguna), then [at
Veterans Memorial] hospital, then in his own house [in Tanay, Rizal]. The ending
was that he was allowed to stay in his farm and that was the correct decision
because he never intended to run away. So we should also give other ex-President
the same kind of presumption," Santiago said.
A check with the Philippine Daily Inquirer archives showed that Estrada was
held in Camp Crame for five days after his arrest before he was brought to the
Laguna detention facility.
"Power is not perpetual," Santiago said. "It expires after six years so
better think well about what you are doing now. Is that how you want to be
treated eventually? If she is guilty, show your evidence first!"
Regarding the possible effect on the military of Arroyo's detention, Honasan
said: "While military elements may be affected by political tensions, I do not
see any restiveness at this point. For now, that is still farfetched."
"With the President enjoying a high trust rating right now, an attempt
against his administration would be far-fetched," he said.
The Social Weather Stations reported Mr. Aquino's trust rating at 70 percent
in September, while Pulse Asia had it at 75 percent. Pulse also reported a
77-percent approval rating for the PresidenT.
"It is hard to mobilize people [against the government] when politics is
involved in the issues. This is based on the experience of the groups who
attempted," Honasan said.
He also said any action against the government would need a "credible
personality or group" behind it.
"But let's not tempt fate. Let's not do anything that would worsen how things
are right now," he said.
Supposed vendetta
Arroyo's legal spokesperson, Raul Lambino, accused President Aquino of
vendetta against her in view of her administration's move in the past to
redistribute to farmers the Hacienda Luisita sugar plantation owned by the
Aquino and Cojuangco families. Mr. Aquino has said he has divested himself of
his share in the plantation.
"'We firmly believe that the motive of P-Noy [Aquino's monicker]in going
after PGMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo] with more intensity to persecute
her are vindictiveness and personal vendetta," Lambino said in a statement.
"The recent SC [Supreme Court] decision got the ire of P-Noy and the
Aquino-Cojuangco family with PGMA at the receiving end of their fury," he
claimed. "This is the reason why government changed its earlier offers of
hospital or house arrest and is taking a hardline position to detain PGMA in SPD
or city jail."
Humane treatment
Arroyo's allies clamoring for "humane treatment" for the Pampanga
representative in view of her poor health and of her being a former president.
North Cotabato Governor Emmylou T. Mendoza said that while Arroyo had nothing
against the government putting up a "good fight" against Arroyo, it should be
made against "an opponent who is physically fit and can stand trial."
Mendoza was among a dozen local officials who expressed support for Arroyo to
be placed under house arrest. The other officials included Lanao del Norte Gov.
Khalid Dimaporo; Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee; Parañaque Mayor Florencio Bernabe;
Saguday, Quirino Mayor Dionisio Vicmudo; Medina, Misamis Oriental Mayor Jojo
Pupos; Pasil, Kalinga Mayor James Edduba; Gattaran, Cagayan Mayor Ramon Nolasco;
Cadiz City, Negros Occidental Mayor Patrick Escalante; Iriga City, Camarines Sur
Mayor Madelaine Alfelor Gazmen; San Marcelino, Zambales Mayor Jose Rodriguez;
and San Agustin, Romblon Mayor Emmanuel Madrona.
Doctors' rights
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for her part expressed concern yesterday over
a story carried by the Inquirer on Friday which reported a senior government
official as saying that Arroyo's doctors at St. Luke's had refused at one point
to sign a medical certificate prepared by her lawyers.
"That's a serious matter that necessitates intervention by professional
organizations [like the] PMA [Philippine Medical Association]," De Lima said in
a text message to reporters.
"That also smacks of coercion, if not obstruction of justice. These doctors'
rights are being grossly violated," she added. With reports
from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. and Marlon Ramos
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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