Gloria Arroyo posts P1M bail

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. CONTRIBUTED FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday morning posted P1- million bail before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112.

Pasay Court Judge Jesus Mupas allowed Arroyo to post bail saying the evidence against the former president is weak.

The order came after hearing the testimony of former Maguindanao Provincial Administrator Norie Unas.

In his testimony, Unas saidArroyo ordered former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. to rig the 2007elections with a 12-0 vote in favor of the Lakas NUCD-CMD.

However, during cross examination, he admitted he did not actually witness the poll fraud in Maguindanao.

Pasay court spokesperson Felda Domingo told reporters that the Comelec and the Department of Justice can file a motion for reconsideration but they cannot stop the implementation of the order.

She said once the release order has been given to the Philippine National Police, Mrs. Arroyo can already be released from the VMMC.

Arroyo has been in detention since November 2011. From St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, she has been moved to Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Arroyo has other pending cases including a graft and plunder case pending before the Sandiganbayan. Arroyo already posted bail for her graft case.

With regards the plunder case, the Sandiganbayan first division has issued a hold departure order against Arroyo.

First posted 9:49 am | Wednesday, July 25th, 2012