SC to tackle GMA bail plea today

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) is set to tackle the latest pleading of detained former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo seeking immediate resolution of her bail petition.

The 115-page petition filed by Arroyo through lawyer and former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza last week has been included in the agenda of the SC justices in their regular session today.

Arroyo had filed a petition with the high court last April seeking reversal of the final ruling of the Sandiganbayan first division last February denying her bail motion in the remaining plunder case against her involving the P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund anomaly.

The SC in fact ordered the anti-graft court last June to answer the petition.

In her latest pleading, the former leader asked the high tribunal to rule on her case as she cited a recent report from the United Nations Technical Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recommending her release from detention.

The UN panel has recommended a consideration of Arroyo’s application for bail “in accordance with the relevant international human rights standards.”

Arroyo argued that the UN panel’s position was consistent with the petition for bail and demurrer to evidence her defense lawyers filed before the Sandiganbayan first division.

The UN panel is composed of five independent human rights experts.

Arroyo is represented in the UN by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, wife of actor George Clooney.

Arroyo also reiterated her prayer for issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the proceedings on the plunder case before the anti-graft court.

In her petition, Arroyo cited her deteriorating health in asking the high court to reverse the rulings of the Sandiganbayan’s first division in October last year and last February denying her bail motion in the case involving the P366-million PCSO fund anomaly.

Arroyo said the high court had ruled in many cases that detainees are entitled to bail if their continuous confinement while case is pending would be hazardous to their health.

Given her condition, the former president pleaded that hospital detention would not be enough to help her recover fully.