Police at St. Luke’s to book Arroyo for electoral sabotage raps

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrived at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City early Saturday as they prepared to book former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on charges of electoral sabotage.

Senior Superintendent Jaime Bucayu arrived at the hospital but it wasn’t clear if Arroyo’s booking would start immediately.

Arroyo, who was charged Friday for allegedly rigging the 2007 senatorial elections, is expected to undergo regular procedure that police administer on arrested suspects, among them taking her fingerprints and mugshots.

Charges were elevated to court Friday amid Arroyo’s repeated attempts to leave the country to seek medical treatment for her sensitive bone condition.

An arrest warrant was issued hours after the case was filed in court and was served to Arroyo at the hospital around 6:30 pm Friday.

The Supreme Court allowed her to go, junking the justice department’s order to deny her departure.

The High Court, however, said later that the arrest warrant would render moot its decision to stop the DoJ from enforcing its watchlist order against Arroyo.

Arroyo’s camp was known to have requested that they take the former President’s mugshots instead of the police.

President Benigno Aquino III had directed authorities to render Arroyo utmost respect being the country’s former leader.

The Pampanga representative remains confined at St. Luke’s for her sensitive neck condition. She attempted to leave Tuesday but was barred by immigration authorities at the airport.