SC stops order to arrest Arroyo

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Monday stopped the Sandiganbayan from implementing the arrest order against former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her co-accused in the P366-million plunder case involving misuse of funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

“The court issues a TRO (temporary restraining order), as prayed for, enjoining the Sandiganbayan from implementing its assailed resolution dated October 3, 2012 which directed the issuance of warrant of arrest against petitioner, among others,” the high court third division said.

High Court Spokesperson Gleo Guerra explained that the high court issues a TRO against the implementation of the October 3, 2012 resolution issued by the Sandiganbayan finding probable cause against Arroyo, former General Manager Rosario Uriarte; Sergio Valencia, Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero, Jose Taruc V and Ma. Fatima Valdes; former COA Chair Reynaldo Villar and Region V head Nilda Plaras, and PCSO assistant general manager for finance Benigno Aguas for the crime of plunder.

Arroyo, who was arraigned this Monday morning, as well as COA Region V head Nilda Plaras filed a separate petition before the high court stopping the Sandiganbayan from implementing the Oct. 3 resolution.