Gwen happy for GMA, says she is more productive outside

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was elated by the release of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the court trying her election sabotage case allowed her to post a P1 million bail last Wednesday.

“Well, the wheels of justice continue to turn. She is now allowed certain liberties which were not allowed when she was under arrest, even if she was confined in the hospital,” the governor told reporters at the Capitol yesterday.

Garcia, a friend of the former president, said Arroyo can do more when she’s out of custody.

“Personally, as one who knew her, I am happy. Now, she can go back and exercise certain liberties that was denied of her,” the governor said.

“I believe that by so doing she (Arroyo) can be even more productive as congresswoman, she can continue her work,” she added.

Arroyo, who is presently the representative of Pampanga’s second district, is accused of sabotaging the 2007 elections in Maguindanao, a non-bailable offense.

But Pasay Regional Trial Court Judge Jesus Mupas granted Arroyo’s petition to post bail after it found that the evidence presented by the prosecution was not strong enough to prove her guilt.

Garcia may be similarly situated with the former president as she is facing three graft cases in the Sandiganbayan over alleged irregularities in purchase of a 24.7-hectare beach front property in Naga City in southern Cebu worth P98.9 million. It turned out that the property is mostly underwater and classified as coastal timberland.

Garcia had paid P90,000 bail hours before she delivered her last State of the Province Address last July 20 to prevent probable service of her warrant of arrest.