Ex-lawmaker arrested for libel

MANILA, Philippines - A former congressman was arrested Monday morning based on a libel complaint by a rival in his own party-list group.

Inspector Alan dela Cruz of the Quezon City Police District said Godofredo Arquiza, who used to represent the Senior Citizens party-list group, was arrested in his house in Hobart Subdivision in Fairview at past 9 a.m.

A Batangas court issued an arrest warrant for two counts of libel, based on a complaint filed in 2011 by Francisco Datol Jr., who is now the group’s first nominee.

In an interview, Datol said he filed the libel case after Arquiza accused him of illegal recruitment and estafa.

Arquiza was subsequently released at around 4 p.m. after posting P20,000 bail, Dela Cruz said.