SC: Evidence vs Arroyo insufficient; see how the justices voted

Former president and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA — The Supreme Court en banc, voting 11-4, ordered the immediate release from detention of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after it dismissed the P366-million plunder charge against her in connection with the alleged misuse of the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The high court dismissed the criminal case against Arroyo and former PCSO budget officer Benigno Aguas “for insufficiency of evidence and orders the immediate release from detention of said petitioners.” It made no pronouncement on the costs of the suit.

Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te, in a press briefing Tuesday  said the case has been promulgated and the decision “will have to be served first” to concerned parties to facilitate their release.

The former Philippine President has been on hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center since October 2012 following the decision of the Sandiganbayan that ordered her arrest and detention.

The 11 SC justices who voted for Arroyo’s release were:

Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr

Justice Teresita de Castro

Justice Arturo Brion

Justice Diosdado Peralta

Justice Lucas Bersamin

Justice Mariano del Castillo

Justice Jose Perez

Justice Jose Mendoza

Justice Bienvenido Reyes

Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe

Justice Francis Jardeleza

The high court justices who dissented or voted against Arroyo’s release were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justices Marvic Leonen and Benjamin Caguioa.  SFM/rga

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