Mike A: GMA can change lawyers any time

MANILA, Philippines - Former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo opted not to give any reason why his wife, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, decided to change lawyers in the plunder case she is facing before the Sandiganbayan for alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds from 2008 to 2010.

“No need for reason. A client can change her lawyer at any time,” he told The STAR yesterday, confirming that lawyer Modesto Ticman Jr. will be his wife’s new defense lawyer for the plunder case.

Sandiganbayan records show that Anacleto Diaz withdrew as lawyer for the former president in a manifestation filed before the anti-graft court’s First Division on Dec. 26, 2013.

Ticman, reached by The STAR, said he will indeed take over and file an opposition to the prosecution’s comment on his client’s motion for reconsideration on the denial of a petition for bail two months ago.

Diaz, on the other hand, did not answer calls or text messages asking for the reason behind his and his firm’s withdrawal as Arroyo’s lawyer in the PCSO plunder charge.

Ticman will take over at a time when Arroyo, still detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, is pushing for temporary liberty based on the legal argument that the case filed against her by the Office of the Ombudsman is weak.

Arroyo insists that there is no evidence at all that she acquired or accumulated ill-gotten wealth.

The Sandiganbayan denied her petition for bail in a decision of a division of five justices wherein three voted to deny and two voted to grant temporary liberty to the accused.