Arroyo formally asks court to put her under house arrest
MANILA, Philippines — Former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asked the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC), on Monday, to put her under house arrest in her home in Quezon City, to ensure her recovery from her medical problems.
In a 17-page urgent motion filed by her lawyers, Arroyo said she would not escape and would face the election sabotage charges against her if she was put under house arrest in her home in posh La Vista subdivision.
She also asked the court in a separate motion to allow her to remain at St. Luke’s Medical Center for another five days as the colonoscopy conducted on her showed that she has been suffering from colitis.
“Wherefore, premises considered, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo respectfully pray that, upon clearance from her doctors, the Honorable Court allow her to be placed under house arrest in her residence at No. 14 Badjao Street, La Vista Subdivision, Quezon City,” the motion said.
“President Arroyo has no intention of escaping from police custody and she has every intention of facing the charge against her and vindicating her name. There is not a possibility of her escaping,” it added.
The motion said that while the former President was medically fit to be discharged from St. Luke’s medical Center as of Monday, she was “not yet completely well.”
“It must be remembered that President Arroyo has undergone three major spinal surgeries in the past few months and she has yet to fully recover from her bone and other illnesses,” the motion said.
“While there may be some indications that her medical condition is improving, there is a need for President Arroyo to continue receiving medical care and attention; she still needs to undergo regular therapy and examinations,” it added.
The motion pointed out that her doctor Mario Ver had testified that she should still be treated as an out-patient and must undergo “conservative management.”
“President Arroyo respectfully submits that she can better and more quickly recuperate if she is placed under house arrest,” the motion said.
“On the other hand, transferring President Arroyo to a prison facility may aggravate her condition or impede her recovery,” it added.
