Prosecutors insist Arroyo has no reason to attend Velarde’s wedding anniversary

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Government prosecutors opposed the bid of former President, now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s bid to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of El Shaddai leader Mariano “Brother Mike” Velarde and wife Belen on July 18.

During Thursday’s hearing, the Special Prosecutor said there is no justification for the former leader to attend the anniversary.

“She is facing a non-bailable offense and under hospital arrest,” the government prosecutor said.

The case is now submitted for resolution.

Arroyo is one of the principal sponsors in the anniversary.

The principal sponsors also include former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.

Velarde’s golden wedding rites will be officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle with Parañaque Bishop Jesse Mercado, Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani and Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar.
Arroyo asked for a seven-hour furlough on July 18 from the Sandiganbayan First Division where she is being tried for plunder for the alleged misuse of P366 million of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

Arroyo has been detained at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City since 2011 and has since undergone three spinal surgeries.

Velarde is one of Arroyo’s spiritual advisers.

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