Gloria Arroyo asks for 12-day Christmas furlough

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday asked the Sandiganbayan to grant her 12 days of Christmas break from her hospital detention.

In a motion filed in the antigraft court’s first division, Arroyo asked for a furlough from December 23, 2014 to January 3, 2015, at her residence in La Vista, Quezon City.

“In the spirit of the Yuletide season and for humanitarian and compassionate considerations and Christian charity, accused PGMA is thus humbly and sincerely begging the Honorable Court that she be granted leave … to celebrate Christmas and New Year with her family and relatives,” the motion read.

Arroyo, 67, who is charged with plunder over the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds mess, said she was hoping for the court’s consideration given her advanced age and failing state of health.

If granted, Arroyo said she would shoulder the expenses of the police in securing her furlough. She would also make the arrangements with the hospital for the presence of her doctors and nurses.

Arroyo has been under hospital detention for plunder for allegedly using P366 million in intelligence funds for the PCSO from 2008 to 2010 for personal gain.

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