Arroyo appeals junking of bail plea in PCSO plunder case

By: Marc Jayson Cayabyab - 10 years ago

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appealed the decision of the Sandiganbayan junking her bail plea in the plunder case over the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds mess.

In a motion for reconsideration, Arroyo, now Pampanga representative, reiterated that she should be released from hospital detention because of her worsening health.

The antigraft court last year junked on two occasions–February and October 2014–Arroyo’s bail bid from plunder over the alleged misuse of P366-million PCSO funds from 2008 to 2010 for personal gain.

Arroyo said her confinement in the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) since December 2011 has not improved her health.

“Accused Arroyo’s continued confinement at the VMMC will surely endanger her life, if not result in permanent impairment of her health,” the motion read.

“(S)he, after three medical spine surgeries, has not been cured of her illness, continues to feels the ill-effects of her previous surgeries and worse, has likewise developed other illnesses, despite her confinement at a medical institution since December 2011,” it added.
Arroyo said it is under jurisprudence that those accused should be granted bail if their continued confinement would adversely affect their health.

“She is asking the Honorable Court that she be released on bail from hospital confinement since, despite all medical treatment regimens she has undergone, she has not been cured of her illness, continues to feel the ill effects of her previous surgeries, and worse, has likewise developed other illnesses, thereby impairing her health further and endangering her life,” the resolution read.

The former President is confined at the VMMC as she claimed to be suffering from cervical spondylosis, a degenerative disease of the bones and cartilage of the neck.

Arroyo had also complained of “generalized body weakness, persistent pain over the nuchal and left shoulder with numbness of both hands and frequent episodes of choking,” according to the VMMC.