Sandigan allows GMA to attend grandson’s wake

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan allowed detained Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to visit the wake of her 13-month-old grandson in North Forbes Park, Makati City last night.

Arroyo asked the anti-graft court yesterday morning to place her under temporary house arrest so she can be with her family during their time of grief.

Through her lawyers, she asked the Sandiganbayan to allow her to stay at her house in La Vista, Quezon City from Nov. 3 to 12.

 Magistrates of the Sandiganbayn First Division allowed the former president to leave the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), where she is being detained on plunder charges, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Sandiganbayan was told that the Arroyo family has yet to decide on the time and place of the burial, and the former president would inform the anti-graft court of the details as soon as the family arrives at a decision.

Arroyo’s grandson Jorge Alonzo “Jugo” Arroyo-Bernas passed away on Nov. 2 at the Philippine Heart Center due to a congenital heart problem. Jugo was the youngest son of Evangeline “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas and Luigi Bernas.

Arroyo received the crushing news of Jugo’s death while she was waiting for him to arrive at the VMMC yesterday morning.

“A day that was supposed to bring joy in the form of a grandson delivered unspeakable grief instead,” she said in her urgent motion for leave.

Arroyo’s lawyers maintained that the former president is not a flight risk and has no intention of fleeing.

Former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and his daughter Luli thanked all those who condoled with the Arroyo family, but Luli asked for privacy for her family at this time. – With Paolo Romero