GMA not allowed to attend Velarde’s wedding anniversary

MANILA, Philippines - Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was not allowed to leave her place of detention to attend the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde and his wife Belen yesterday.

The Sandiganbayan said the Pampanga lawmaker’s motion lacks merit.

“Indeed, the court does not share (Arroyo’s) submission that the furlough she is asking is one of the privileges she may enjoy as a detention prisoner,” read the ruling. “On the contrary, (her) stance runs counter to the very essence of her detention.”

Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz, Rodolfo   Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos made the decision.

Arroyo was a principal sponsor in Velarde’s golden wedding anniversary in Amvel City, San Dionisio, Parañaque.

Other sponsors were former President Joseph Estrada, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and former first lady Imelda Marcos.

Arroyo is facing plunder charges for her alleged involvement in the misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

She is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Thousands of people gathered at the 50th wedding anniversary of Velarde and his wife Belen.

President Aquino was present at the wedding but he did not stay for the reception.

Velarde said he only exchanged congratulations with him.

White, representing the El Shaddai color, and golden yellow signifying the 50th wedding anniversary, were the dominant colors. – Michael Punongbayan, Evelyn Macairan