Senator Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday said that the granting of bail to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo indicates that the justice system works under the Aquino administration.
“This proves that the Malacañang does not hold, dictate or control the decisions of our courts and our courts are fair and everyone has an equal chance–may they be allies or detractors of the administration—to get justice from our judiciary,” Escudero said in an interview.
He added that though he was surprised that the Pasay City Regional Trial Court has issued a ruling on the bail request of Arroyo, he said that he was more surprised that only one case has been formally filed against the former President who has been in jail since her arrest last year for electoral sabotage charges.
He added that he expects Arroyo to be in and out of jail once the other charges against her, including the plunder charges related to the alleged misuse of P366-million of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.
Meanwhile, Escudero said that he is not discouraged by the RTC ruling and that he believes this will not be a preview of the court’s decision on the electoral sabotage case against her.
“That an accused is granted bail means that the evidence of guilt at the time of the motion for bail was resolved is not yet strong enough. This is a signal that the Comelec should present stronger and heavier evidence so in the end they will win the case),” Escudero said.
“You know, in a case, nothing is guaranteed. There will always be a chance that you will win, there will always be a chance that you will lose and anyone who files a case and guarantees that he will win and anyone who will say that they will surely lose, maybe has not been practicing or has not yet received varying decisions from court during their practice of law),” he added.
The statement came after Arroyo was freed after she posted a P1-million bail at the Pasay City RTC.