Estelito Mendoza: GMA can file case for unlawful detention

MANILA, Philippines -- Former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo can ask the government for compensation for unlawful detention after the Supreme Court ordered her release from detention and the dismissal of a plunder case over her alleged misuse of the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

 

But according to Arroyo’s lawyer, former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza, it is a decision the former president should make for herself.

 

“(There is) No greater injury or suffering than for a person to be imprisoned. To be detained. Remember if one is imprisoned, time lost in prison can never be recovered, you cannot get back time. Time lost is lost forever. Logically, there should be a basis for compensation but that is up to her whether she can claim or not. She may feel it is better that history to judge that cause more disturbance to already troubled country with so many problems. I do not want to make judgments, it is for her to decide,” Mendoza told reporters in his Makati City office on Friday.

 

Meanwhile, Mendoza was dismayed over the statement of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales that her office is now readying another case against Arroyo.

 

“Very dismaying if not shocking. I think there is nothing more oppressive. The subject of the new charge is disbursement of funds that took place earlier before this (PCSO) case. Why did she not file it earlier?” said Mendoza.

 

SC spokesperson Theodore Te said the High Court dismissed the case against Arroyo for lack of evidence. The Court also ordered Arroyo's immediate release from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

 

Arroyo was placed under hospital arrest at the VMMC in 2012.

 

The plunder case stems from charges filed by the Office of the Ombudsman for Arroyo's alleged diversion of P366 million in the PCSO's intelligence funds for personal gain between 2008 and 2010.