Arroyo waives appearance in NBN-ZTE graft trial

After pleading not guilty to graft charges in the botched and scandal-ridden NBN-ZTE deal, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she would rather not attend proceedings in the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division, which is handling the case. 

 

Arroyo, through her counsel Jose B. Flaminiano, submitted a waiver of appearance last June 11 saying she is prepared to appear in court if she is required to but would rather not sit through the trial. 

 

“President Arroyo hereby respectfully waives her appearance during trial and any other stage of the proceedings,” according to the waiver.

 

“Should she fail to appear for trial without justification despite due notice to her and her counsel, her absence will be deemed an express waiver of her right to be present on the date specified in the notice. In such case, the Honorable Court may proceed with her case in absentia,” the waiver read.

 

Arroyo waived the right to dispute her identity whenever her name is mentioned or referred to in the course of the trial.

 

She also committed to “surrender to the Honorable Court for execution of the final judgment” whatever the outcome of the trial may be. Allegations of corruption

 

Government prosecutors had earlier asked the Sandiganbayan to compel Arroyo to submit her pre-trial brief so that trial can get underway.

 

Prosecution lawyers also asked the court to junk the defense motion which asked the court to excuse Arroyo from identifying her witnesses and the documentary evidence that she intends to present in her defense. 

 

The defense contends submitting a pre-trial brief at this point would violate her right to be presumed innocent and remain silent as guaranteed by the Constitution. 

 

Arroyo is facing two counts of graft and a charge for violation of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees on allegations that she entered into a transaction that was grossly disadvantageous to the country’s interest, of having interest in the negotiation with hopes for personal gain and accepting favors from the Chinese contractor when she was treated to a round of golf and a lunch.

 

The NBN-ZTE deal involved allegations of corruption in the awarding of a contract to the Chinese telecommunications firm ZTE for the proposed government-managed National Broadband Network (NBN). 

 

The contract with ZTE was signed on April 20, 2007 in Hainan, China. After accusations of irregularities surfaced, Mrs. Arroyo cancelled the project in October 2007.

 

Also facing charges in the controversial deal are former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and former Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza. —AE/VS, GMA News