Sandigan grants GMA daily furlough for grandson’s wake

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan yesterday granted detained Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo daily furlough to attend the wake and interment of her one-year-old grandson in North Forbes Park, Makati City.

The anti-graft court allowed Arroyo to attend the wake from Nov. 4 to 9 from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., and during the interment on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Arroyo’s grandson, Jorge Alonzo “Jugo” Arroyo Bernas, died on Nov. 2 at the Philippine Heart Center due to a congenital heart problem.

Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said Malacañang respects the Sandiganbayan’s order allowing the former president to attend the wake and burial of her grandson so she can be with her family during their time of grief.

Magistrates of the Sandiganbayan First Division, headed by Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz, denied Arroyo’s request for temporary house arrest.

The anti-graft court said it partially granted her request “after a thoughtful consideration of the arguments of the parties, and for humanitarian considerations.”

The Sandiganbayan ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide security escorts for Arroyo.

The PNP will transport Arroyo to North Forbes Park at noon and bring her back to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where she is detained on plunder charges, not later than 10 p.m.

The court said the police should transport Arroyo for the interment not earlier than 7 a.m. and bring her back not later than 3 p.m.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Robert Po said police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office, Police Security Protection Group and Highway Patrol Group would ensure the security of Arroyo.

Po said Arroyo could not give media interviews during the furlough.– With Cecille Suerte Felipe