Palace: Up to court to decide on house arrest for Gloria Arroyo

It will be up to the court to decide on whether to grant house arrest to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo for health reasons, Malacañang said Sunday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said it is up to the Commission on Elections on whether to oppose the bid by Arroyo’s camp for house arrest.

“I understand her doctors made a statement but hindi ko alam kung itinuloy nila ito at finile ng motion sa (korte). Bahala na ang RTC kung papaano nila yan dedesisyunan," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

As for the prosecution, she said it will be up to the Comelec as lead prosecutor to file an opposition or non-opposition.

“We will leave it to them to file their opposition or non-opposition to that particular motion if and when it is filed before court,” she said.

Earlier reports said Arroyo’s camp has sought anew house arrest for the former leader, with two doctors saying her health is worsening due to stress and delayed healing.

Mrs. Arroyo is presently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, in connection with a plunder case involving alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

A report on Journal Online said Arroyo’s lawyer Diaz del Rosario filed a request for house arrest before the Sandiganbayan. — LBG, GMA News