Sandigan rejects Gloria Arroyo motion to attend Bro. Mike’s wedding anniversary

In making its decision, the anti-graft court’s First Division found Mrs. Arroyo’s motion lacking in merit.          

“The court does not share the accused’s submission that the furlough she is asking is one of the privileges she may enjoy as a detention prisoner. On the contrary, the accused’s stance runs counter to the very essence of her detention,” the three-page resolution read.

 

Mrs. Arroyo was supposed to be among the principal sponsors along with Manila Mayor and former President Joseph Estrada, House Speaker Sonny Belmonte Jr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos.

 

The court also said it does not find the former President’s justification of her request that important to grant her furlough and allow her to leave her detention center for the purpose.

 

Mrs. Arroyo said Velarde “is not only a close friend but one of her spiritual advisers, as well” and her guilt on the case has yet to be established  so “she should be afforded the same privileges  that those who have yet to be found guilty by final judgment of  a criminal case may enjoy.”

 

The court noted that it had denied Mrs. Arroyo’s motion to allow her to celebrate her 67th birthday in Lubao, Pampanga on March 14, 2014.

 

The former Philippine leader is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for plunder charges over the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office' intelligence fund during her term. — RSJ, GMA News