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Oppressed need Amal Clooney's help more than Arroyo does, Bayan Muna rep says


Instead of helping former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney should devote her legal prowess to helping the countless victims of injustice in the Philippines, a lawmaker said Monday.
 
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said while he is elated that Clooney is concerned about the human rights situation in the Philippines, it would be better if she focuses on those who are unable to seek legal aid because of their socioeconomic status.
 
“It is best that she (Clooney) also raise the issue of human rights violations of the poor and the powerless such as the at least 229 cases of extrajudicial killings of activists, media and ordinary people, enforced disappearances, illegal arrest and detention,” he said.
 
Arroyo’s camp has confirmed that Clooney, who is married to actor George Clooney, has filed a case against the Philippine government over Arroyo’s continued detention. 
 
In filing the case, Clooney wants the UN to persuade the Philippine government to release Arroyo, who has been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City for a plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million in intelligence funds of the state lottery firm during her presidency.

According to her profile on her law firm's website, Clooney represents former Libyan intelligence chief Abdallah Al Senussi in a case of alleged crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a human rights case, and Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in an extradition case against him.
 
'Help SAF 44 instead'
 
According to Colmenares, among those who could use Clooney’s assistance are the widows of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troopers who were killed in an encounter with armed groups in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

He said that Clooney can help them by filing cases, "especially sa UN." He did not elaborate.

“We ask Atty. Clooney to visit the Philippines and see for herself the plight of the nameless poor who are victims of injustice and human rights violations,” he also said.
 
1-BAP party-list Rep. Silvestre Bello III, who served as Justice Secretary and Presidential Adviser on Government Centers during the Arroyo administration, said that while Clooney’s decision to elevate Arroyo’s plight to the UN does not have a bearing on her case under the Philippine justice system, it is expected to have an impact on how it will be heard. 
 
“Her (Clooney’s) advocacy will certainly have political and moral and diplomatic implications. Our judicial process will be put in bad light!” he said in a text message.
 
Bello has consistently filed resolutions in the House asking the Sandiganbayan to grant Arroyo temporary liberty on special occasions like Christmas.

He recently filed a measure asking the House to present a “united plea” and urge the Sandiganbayan to allow the former president to be placed under house arrest. — Xianne Arcangel/JDS, GMA News
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