Arroyo camp sees high court TRO a turning point in plunder case
THE CAMP of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed hope that the recent Supreme Court order stopping her plunder trial for 30 days in order to reexamine her petitions could be a “turning point” in the Pampanga representative’s battle against what she claims is her illegal detention since 2012.
Malacañang, on the other hand, reacted to the high court order by saying that while they had hoped to see the trial completed before the Aquino administration ends, it respected separate judicial processes.
Early this week, the high court suspended the celebrated plunder trial and asked the Sandiganbayan to explain within 10 days why it denied the former president’s petition for a demurrer of evidence or a ruling on the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence to warrant a plunder charge. It is also set to review the denial of Arroyo’s bail petition.
A United Nations working group had reportedly issued an opinion early this month that Arroyo’s continued detention was “arbitrary” and violative of human rights.
In a statement, Arroyo counsel Laurence B. Arroyo said: “We are thankful for the (Supreme Court’s) status quo ante order. We are hoping that this development will mark the turning point in our legal battle.”
Arroyo brought her case to the Supreme Court after the Sandiganbayan First Division denied her plea for bail and a demurer of evidence in connection with the alleged plunder of P366 million in intelligence funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office from 2008 to 2010.
“We have raised important issues before the SC, including whether the Sandiganbayan re-defined the meaning of plunder when it denied GMA’s bail application,” said Arroyo’s lawyer. Many of her coaccused have already been freed.
Another member of Arroyo’s legal team, Lorenzo Gadon, said that the high court order was timely because it apparently softened the stance of the Sandiganbayan, which allowed Arroyo to seek medical treatment for her worsening illness.
RELATED STORIES
Arroyo gets checkup at St. Luke’s
