Sandigan OKs GMA request to renew voter’s registration

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan granted Wednesday former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s request that she be allowed to renew her registration as a voter of the province of Pampanga.

However, the anti-graft court said election officer Leonilo Paule Miguel or his authorized representative will have to be the one to go to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City for the procedure.

The Sandiganbayan First Division said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be allowed to take Arroyo’s biometric data and other necessary requirements in order to reactivate her voter status.

The former president, now a congresswoman of Pampanga, wanted to go through the process by going to her hometown in Lubao, Pampanga but the anti-graft court denied this request.

Magistrates headed by First Division chairman Justice Efren de la Cruz gave Miguel until Oct. 15, 2015 to comply with the directive to have Arroyo registered and inform the court in writing within five days afterward.

Arroyo has been under hospital arrest at the VMMC since October 2012 while on trial for plunder in connection with her alleged involvement in the misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.

Though she won in two successive elections as a member of the House of Representatives, she failed to vote in the polls, which resulted in her being removed from the Comelec’s list of registered voters.

The poll body said it will comply with the order.