Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan has rejected former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plea for a three-day furlough to celebrate her 67th birthday in her hometown in Pampanga next month.
Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz, Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos dismissed Arroyo plea for lack of merit.
This is the second time in less than a month that the Pampanga representative has been rebuffed by the antigraft court.
On Feb. 20, the Sandiganbayan also denied Arroyo’s plea for bail in her plunder case involving the alleged illegal transfer P366 million in confidential/intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
“Just like all other detention prisoners, accused Arroyo cannot be allowed to the full enjoyment of her rights, be it civil or political. And the inherent and consequent restraints in some of her rights do not run counter to the constitutional presumption of her innocence,” it said. Gil C. Cabacungan
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