Arroyo to SC: Compel De Lima, Immigration to respect TRO on travel ban

MANILA, Philippines – Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo petitioned the Supreme Court, on Thursday, to direct Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and immigration officials to respect its order allowing her to travel abroad.

In a 13-page urgent motion, Arroyo asked the high tribunal to immediately implement the temporary restraining order (TRO) it issued and order De Lima and the Bureau of Immigration to cease and desist from preventing her from leaving the country.

“By… continuing to enforce and implement the assailed orders… [De Lima] openly defied the immediately executory TRO issued by this Honorable Court in blatant disobedience of and resistance to a lawful order of this Honorable Court,” Arroyo said in a petition filed through her lawyer Estelito Mendoza said.

“Under the circumstances, [Arroyo] is without any plain, speedy and adequate remedy but to ask the Court… to direct respondents to cease and desist from preventing petitioner… from leaving the country for her scheduled medical treatment abroad,” the motion said.