SC suspends Arroyo plunder trial until February 2016

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued an order suspending the plunder trial of former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo before the Sandiganbayan until February 2016.

The high court extended the status quo ante order (SQAO) for 90 days, which suspended the plunder trial against Arroyo in connection to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes fund anomaly.

"The Court issued a SQAO for 90 days or until Feb. 19, 2016 directing the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the assailed orders of the Sandiganbayan dated April 6, 2015," SC spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press conference.

Arroyo earlier filed a petition before the high court, seeking to reverse the ruling of the Sandiganbayan last February which denied her bail.

The former president is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center for plunder charges filed against her for her alleged involvement in the misuse of PCSO funds from 2008 to 2010.

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