Arroyo asks SC for 5-day birthday furlough

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

Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday asked the Supreme Court for a five-day furlough beginning April 3 to celebrate her 69th birthday with her family on April 5.

“Petitioner Arroyo appeals anew to the humanity of the Honorable Supreme Court and respectfully asks that she be granted a similar furlough for her birthday on April 5, 2016,” the petition stated.

Arroyo, based on the petition, wishes to celebrate her birthday at home with family and friends.

The motion noted that spending time at home with her family would do the former leader good.

“It is the opinion of her doctors that her continued confinement is injurious to her health. A five-day furlough to celebrate her birthday and be with family and friends will do the former President some good,” the motion stated.

Arroyo is currently on hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. She is facing a case for plunder before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million in funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Last year, the high court allowed Arroyo to have a Christmas and New Year furlough.

Earlier, the high court extended up to April 20 its order stopping the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the plunder trial.