Palace: Clearance needed for Mike Arroyo to stay with wife at Veterans

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s husband has to obtain clearance from the Philippine National Police if he wants to stay with his wife in detention at the presidential suite of the Veterans  Memorial Medical Center while awaiting trial on a charge of electoral sabotage, a Malacañang Palace aide said Saturday.

“That will have to be cleared with the PNP,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, a lawyer, said over the state-run radio station dzRB.  “From what I understand they are supposed to give a list of visitors in advance before the actual visit happens.  They will just have to coordinate with the PNP on how that is to be done.”

Arroyo has been charged with electoral sabotage in connection with her alleged instructions to provincial political leaders to rig the 2007 senatorial elections in favor of her chosen candidates.

Pressed whether Mike Arroyo can be allowed to stay with his wife in detention, Valte said, “We will leave that to the PNP.” Pressed on whether it could be allowed, Valte said, “We will leave that to the PNP.”

“At this point, CGMA (for Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Aarrooyo) is in the custody of the PNP. As such, they have full responsibility, so they should be given full discretion. They are the ones responsible.  So let us allow them to implement the measures and approve what needs to be approved,” Valte said.

Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s spokesperson, said Mike Arroyo will be by the former president’s side while she is in detention at the VMMC.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said his client, Mike Arroyo, had “volunteered” to stay at the VMMC as well.

Mike Arroyo has been implicated in alleged anomalies his wife’s nine-year presidency but has not been formally charged in court.