Poe urges swift resolution on Arroyo, other pending cases
Senator Grace Poe has called for swift resolution of all pending cases, including that of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who remains in hospital detention for plunder .
“Alam nyo po kahit sino pa ang nagkasala sa batas, o kahit na sino pa ang may kaso, ang nais nating lahat ay mabilis na paglilitis ng kaso sapagkat pag masyado pong matagal ang pagdinig ng kaso katulad ng mga iba , hindi lang naman si GMA (Arroyo’s initials), pati na rin yung ibang mga nakakulong na hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring katiyakan ang kanilang kaso, ay parang hindi na rin po yan makatarungan,” Poe said during a press conference in Angeles, Pampanga Thursday.
“Kaya para sa akin, sana lahat ng kaso ay mas maresolbahan sa lalong madaling panahon sapagkat lahat naman tayo ay may karapatang marinig ang ating panig at may karapatan tayo na tingnan ang batas na pantay-pantay,” she further said.
(Whoever has violated the law, or whoever has a pending case, what we all hope for is the quick prosecution of cases because when the process is prolonged, like in the case of others, not only that of [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s], but also those who are detained and up to now their cases have no certainty, that would be unjust.
For me, I hope that all cases would be resolved as soon as possible because all of us have the right to have our side heard and we are all equal under the law.)
READ: Arroyo asks court anew to dismiss plunder case | LOOK: UN body’s opinion on Gloria Arroyo’s detention
The senator was responding to a reporter’s question on what she would do, if elected president in 2016, about Arroyo’s case.
Arroyo has been detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City as she claims to be suffering from cervical spondylosis. She was charged with plunder for allegedly using P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds for personal gain from 2008 to 2010.
READ: Gloria Arroyo cites Enrile verdict in petition for house arrest | Palace fears Gloria Arroyo, others next
It was the former president, who defeated Poe’s adoptive father, the late Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), during the 2004 presidential race. But FPJ’s camp alleged that he was cheated by Arroyo.
Asked what she would say if she comes face to face with Arroyo, Senator Poe said she would simply ask the former leader how she is.
The senator noted that she has no personal relation with Arroyo and she only saw her once from afar in one event when she was still president.
“Para sa aking nga, ang aking dalangin para sa lahat sa ating bayan ay maging maayos ang sistema ng hustisya kung may kasalanan pagbayaran, pero kung hindi pa naman napapatunayan o kung walang kasalanan, karapatan din naman nila na mabuhay ng malaya. Ang sinasabi ko lamang ay kailangang maresolbahan kung ano man ang decision ng korte,” she said.
“I don’t believe in kicking g a person especially when they are already down lalo na pag ganun ang situwasyon, bakit ko aawayin na ganun na nga nangyayari(especially in a situation like that, why would I be hostile)?” the senator added.
(I hope for everyone in our country to have an efficient justice system wherein those who have erred pay their dues, and those who have not been proven guilty or are innocent have the right to live freely. All I am saying is that whatever the court has decided must be resolved.) CDG
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