Sandiganbayan allows Arroyo’s stay in VMMC on hospital arrest

Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan First Division on Wednesday issued a resolution allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to stay at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on hospital arrest.

Arroyo has been detained at the VMMC since the anti-graft court’s issuance of an arrest warrant on her and nine others for charges of plunder in connection to the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds.

The Pampanga lawmaker’s continued stay at the government hospital was allowed provided that she stays at the VMMC and her detention and granting of visits be fully controlled by the Philippine National Police.

Her use of communication gadgets shall also be under the authority of the Police Security and Protection Group while media interviews will only be allowed if authorized by the anti-graft court.

Arroyo will also have to shoulder her hospital expenses, according to the resolution.

Originally posted at 11:12 am | Wednesday, October 17, 2011