GMA arraigned in Pasay today

MANILA, Philippines - Under heavy security, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be brought today from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City to the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) for her arraignment on charges of electoral sabotage relating to the May 2007 polls.

Judge Jesus Mupas of the RTC branch 112 approved yesterday a motion filed by lawyers of Arroyo, now a Pampanga representative, seeking a separate arraignment from her co-accused, former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election officer Lintang Bedol.

Arroyo’s counsel Benjamin Santos told The STAR that they have not yet received any notice but Court Sheriff Rodel Buenviaje said all is set for today’s arraignment.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the police are ready after a dry run was held.

“Yes, the dry run was made. There was a drill. All security arrangements have been considered. The PNP is ready,” said Bartolome.

The Pasay RTC sheriff said if the arraignment proceeds today, reporters will not be allowed inside the courtroom and interviews would also be banned.

The Comelec had filed electoral sabotage charges against Arroyo, Bedol and Ampatuan Sr. for allegedly rigging results of the senatorial elections in Maguindanao in 2007.

Santos wanted her arraignment as soon as possible to avoid a security nightmare if she is arraigned together with Ampatuan, who will be transported from the PNP detention center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig, and Bedol, who would come from the PNP jail in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Bedol remained in detention even though he completed last Jan. 19 a six-month sentence for indirect contempt that the Comelec had found him guilty of back in 2007 for his failure to heed summons to testify in an inquiry into poll fraud in Maguindanao that year.

Arroyo’s lawyer said they want a speedy trial.

The Pasay RTC had deferred the arraignments of Arroyo and her co-accused from Feb. 20 to March 19 to resolve pending issues filed by the accused.

Lawyers of Bedol and Ampatuan have filed motions for the judicial determination and motion for the dismissal of the case.

Bedol and Ampatuan said they are seeking the postponement since there is a pending appeal before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of the electoral sabotage charge.

Bartolome said the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) would handle the security preparations in coordination with the PNP-Police Security Protection Group (PSPG), which will provide close-in security for Arroyo.

“The PNP-PSPG will play a big role here. Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento will be the close-in security in this case,” Bartolome explained.

Media barred

NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima said that due to security reasons and limited space, media will be barred from the courtroom during the arraignment of Arroyo.

The Public Information Office (PIO) in Camp Crame and the Regional Public Information Office of the NCRPO will be assisting media at the entrances of the Pasay City Hall and Hall of Justice building.

Purisima advised reporters, cameramen, and photographers to be at the city hall before 6:30 a.m. for registration and briefing at the NCRPO’s advanced command post.

A designated media area will be set up for reporters, cameramen and photographers. With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Non Alquitran