Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Whatever the court decides, the Executive branch will follow.
That was Malacañang’s statement on Friday following the House of Representative’s appeal for the house arrest of Pampanga representative and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“That’s a matter for decision that is up to the Sandiganbayan,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a Palace briefing.
“Remember that the conditions for detention are set out by the court that has jurisdiction over her,” she explained. “So, kung ano ho ang maging treatment ng Sandiganbayan diyan ay aayunan lang po ng Executive (So whatever the treatment of the Sandiganbayan, the Executive will agree with it).”
Last Thursday, the lower chamber adopted House Resolution no. 2153, which recommends the house arrest of Arroyo for “humanitarian considerations.”
READ: House issues plea to Sandigan for Arroyo’s house arrest
The 68-year old official is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) after being charged with plunder for the alleged misuse of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds.
She has been staying in the hospital because of cervical spondylosis, a degenerative disease of the bones and cartilage of the neck.
The Congress resolution cited Arroyo’s doctor who claimed that the condition of Arroyo has not improved since she was placed under hospital arrest.
READ: Arroyo won’t convert residence to gov’t property for house arrest