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(Updated 8:40 a.m.) Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and Ang Galing party-list Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo arrived on Thursday morning at the Pasay City Hall for the arraignment of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on poll sabotage charges.

 

The former First Gentleman immediately entered the building, where the court handling his wife’s case is located, upon arrival at the area before 8:30 a.m. Mikey, Mrs. Arroyo’s eldest son, meanwhile, opted to stay at the city hall’s parking lot.

 

Members of the media quickly approached the former First Gentleman upon his arrival, but he refused to grant any interviews.

 

Mrs. Arroyo’s convoy is already en route to Pasay City from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City for her arraignment.

 

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Juanito Vaño Jr. from the Pasay City Police said the area’s entire police force was deployed at the vicinity of the Pasay City Hall.

 

Vaño added that 100 cops are deployed in front of the building alone to ensure the security of the former President once she is escorted to the court.

 

Police also set up a police line three meters away from the city hall’s entrance to prevent the media from entering the building.

 

The entire stretch of F. B. Harrison Street was also closed to traffic, prompting jeepneys and private vehicles to reroute, and commuters to walk.

 

Supporters of the former President, all clad in white and carrying banners saying “Justice for Arroyo” lined the portion of the street near Epifanio de los Santos Avenue as a show of force for the former chief executive. — Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News