Aquino himself ordered raps filed vs Arroyo

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The filing of charges in November against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is an order from President Benigno Aquino III, and government officials are expected to carry it out, Mr. Aquino’s spokesperson said Thursday

Edwin Lacierda also said, however, that pending the filing of charges in the courts, the former President could go abroad if she wished, especially for medical purposes.

Lacierda said Justice Secretary Leila de Lima “and some other officials have kept the President abreast of the developments.”

“And since the President has already [announced] a November schedule—anytime in November—I think that’s something that is workable,” he said.

On Wednesday, Mr. Aquino told foreign correspondents that he had been informed that the first of the charges against Arroyo would be filed next month.

But later that day, De Lima said the Department of Justice had no definite date on the filing of charges against Arroyo and members of her family.

Comply with Aquino orders

“Maybe Secretary Leila de Lima was just trying to downplay, but those orders have already been given, the statement has been made, and as public officials, we intend to follow and comply with the orders of the President,” Lacierda told reporters in a news briefing Thursday afternoon.

Pressed to say if it was an order from President Aquino to have Arroyo indicted by next month, Lacierda said: “Because he stated that it’s in November.”

“Anytime in November, let’s be clear. Is that the first day of November? It’s not gonna be filed on All Saints’ Day or All Souls’ Day. Anytime in November.”

But Arroyo, now the representative of the second district of  Pampanga, can leave the country as she pleases, Lacierda said.

“To my knowledge, there are no pending cases against her. She’s free to travel,” he said. “Of course, the situation would be different if cases are already filed [against her].”

Strong case required

In a press conference, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the government should ensure that the charges to be filed against Arroyo would stand in court.

“If I were in their shoes, I’ll make sure the first case I will file [comes on strong]—yung malakas, may dating. If it’s weak and gets dismissed, even another one will not be so big [anymore],” Belmonte said.

He likened it to the filing of impeachment complaints in the House of Representatives, where the first case should be strong enough so as not to warrant a dismissal.

Belmonte said the filing of cases in court against Arroyo was something that the people expected of Mr. Aquino from the start.

“You know how it is. Here, for instance, if you file a preemptive complaint, it prevents [the filing of] a stronger complaint, as in the case of [former Ombudsman] Merceditas Gutierrez,” he said.

But he added: “I think the President is very confident of filing a strong case. Justice Secretary De Lima is very confident. Of course, the President depends on them.” With a report from Cynthia D. Balana

Originally posted at 0:36 pm | Thursday, October 13, 2011