Cebu leaders voice surprise on arrest

CEBU’s legal community and the Church voiced surprise over the immediate issuance of the arrest warrant on former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday.

Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes said the debate on whether or not to allow Arroyo to leave the country was rendered “moot and academic” after the arrest warrant was issued on Arroyo due to election charges by the court.

Paredes said any person charged with a criminal offense in court is barred from leaving the country unless he or she secures permission from the court.

But he said Arroyo is allowed to be placed under “hospital arrest.”

Paredes said judges have 10 days to determine whether or not there is probable cause to issue an arrest warrant against an accused.

He said he was “surprised” when the warrant was issued against Arroyo a few hours after the criminal charges were filed in court.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said the Church has yet to “assess” their sentiments on the the arrest and the controversy over Arroyo’s attempt to seek treatment abroad.

Palma, the incoming president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he personally believed that Arroyo should be allowed to seek medication because that’s her right.

“The church values unity. The stand of the church on the issue needs important considerations. In principle, the political arena is the realm of lay people. It is they who should be at the forefront,” Palma told reporters.

Still, Palma conceded that the national government’s concern that the Arroyos will escape prosecution from pending cases of graft and electoral sabotage should also be considered.

He said the decision on the issue should be left to the “wise men.”

In a text message, Fr. Carmelo Diola of the Dilaab Foundation said the Supreme Court ultimately has the last word on the legality of Arroyo’s medical claims and would be up to the Supreme Court.

“Although I am personally convinced that GMA’s reason for leaving is quite dubious—why is she attending conferences if her medical condition is really that bad? The last word on a judicial question lies with the SC regardless of questions of credibility,” Diola said.

He said the government agencies concerned should be left to do their “thing.” “Let the people pray and offer their sacrifices for the looming crisis,” Diola said. Reporters Ador Vincent Mayol and Candeze R. Mongaya