Miriam favors house arrest for ex-foe Gloria Arroyo

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday said she is in favor of putting former President and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo under house arrest.

 

In a radio interview, Santiago, who is running for president in next year's elections, even described the Aquino administration's treatment of Arroyo, who is currently on hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, as "cruel and unusual." 

 

"Parang cruel and unusual 'yan," said Santiago, who was once a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration. "Halimbawa, ako nanay na ako at may mga apo na ako, ihi-hiwalay mo ako sa pamilya ko, 'yan ang pinaka-masakit na parusa sa akin." 

 

"Obviously, the authorities just want to keep her under detention. She doesn't need the medical attention there or the facilities there. She's rich enough that she can buy it for herself," she added.

 

Santiago said she visited Arroyo once and saw how frail the erstwhile president was. "Her wrist could not even hold a wristwatch," she said. "Ang payat-payat niya." 

 

She also said with Arroyo's current health condition, she is no longer a threat to the Aquino administration.  

 

"I-house arrest na lang natin kasi wala naman siyang ginawa sa mga nakalipas na taon na nagpapatunay na kung bigyan natin ng pagkakataon 'yan magtatakas 'yan at [mag]-aalsa pa," Santiago said.

 

Santiago also said she believes "justice has been denied" to Arroyo, who is facing plunder charges in connection with the P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund scam. 

 

"The most telling feature of this narrative is if you are a former president, hindi ka ba matatakot na ikukulong ka ng taun-taon at hindi mo alam kung kailan matapos 'yun? Na makalagay sa ating Constitution: Justice, to be fair, must be quick. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice has been denied to her," said Santiago.

 

"It will be cruel if it will be done to me, I apply what I'm claiming for myself to my neighbor," she added.

 

Despite her health condition, Arroyo is seeking re-election in the 2016 elections. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News