GMA shows up for NBN graft hearing at Sandigan

Manila, Philippines - Against doctor’s advice, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attended yesterday a hearing at the Sandiganbayan for the graft charges she is facing in relation to the 2007 national broadband network (NBN) deal anomaly.

Arroyo arrived on a wheelchair, wearing a neck brace, and with dextrose. She presented herself before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division in compliance to an order for her to personally appear for a pre-trial conference.

But because of her condition, the justices of the Sandiganbayan allowed Arroyo to leave and return to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) where her health is being strictly monitored.

“Madame President, you are excused. You don’t have to attend in that condition,” said Associate Justice Gregory Ong, chairman of the Fourth Division.

The Sandiganbayan said a special power of attorney (SPA) and a waiver of appearance would be enough to excuse the former president from future hearings.

Arroyo might be transferred to the Makati Medical Center on Wednesday.

Arroyo’s political ally Mayor Jerry Pelayo of Candaba, Pampanga, said there are plans to transfer her from VMMC to Makati Medical Center.

Dr. Nona Legaspi, VMMC director, said it would be the former president’s decision if she wanted to transfer to another hospital.

Arroyo, 65, was rushed to the VMMC last Thursday after choking on a piece of melon and had to be admitted at the same hospital where she was detained for eight months in connection with the electoral sabotage case filed against her.

Her husband former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and a medical staff accompanied the former president to the Sandiganbayan.

Despite her condition, Arroyo who was wearing red office attire, managed to smile back at people who greeted her. 

Lawyer Laurence Arroyo, one of Arroyo’s counsels, told the Sandiganbayan that his client decided to come out to show her respect to the anti-graft court’s order for her to appear personally for the pre-trial hearing.

“It was to show the Sandiganbayan, out of respect, that she’s not out to run away from this case,” he told The STAR in an interview after the proceedings.

Arroyo was allowed to leave the VMMC using a so-called “pass” and after executing a waiver because doctors did not consent to her decision to attend a court hearing.

Outside the Sandiganbayan building, her supporters cheered the former chief executive and demanded that her right to due process be respected.

Some observers from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the prosecutorial arm of the Office of the Ombudsman, said Arroyo looks thinner.

“Ang payat na niya (she is very thin),” one lawyer said after seeing Arroyo enter the courtroom in a wheelchair with dextrose attached to her.

Her husband earlier said that he is worried that the former president has not been eating well recently.

After Arroyo left, the pre-trial conference for one of the two graft cases she is facing in connection with the NBN deal proceeded with defense lawyers listing some 10 to 15 possible witnesses.

The Sandiganbayan scheduled the initial trial dates on Oct. 1 and 2 and moved the pre-trial conference for the former president’s second graft charge on Aug. 22.

Prosecution and defense lawyers stipulated or agreed on a number of facts and evidence, which will eventually help speed up the conduct of the trial.    

OSP spokesperson Assistant Special Prosecutor (ASP) III Faye Singson said the prosecution team listed some 45 witnesses that it intends to present during trial.

“It will be part of the strategy of the prosecution kung sino ang uunahin. But certainly, the private complainants, like Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño and former party-list Rep. Liza Masa will be presented to testify on the material allegations in the Information (complaint),” she said. – With Reinir Padua