PNoy: GMA must pay for her crimes; no to house arrest

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Monday opposed calls to put former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo under house arrest.

Aquino said Arroyo, who is facing plunder and electoral sabotage charges, remains under hospital arrest to ensure that her medical needs are addressed in a "very timely fashion."

"Anong magagawa doon sa bahay na hindi magagawa ng ospital? Bakit ilalayo mo pa sa pagamutan?" Aquino said in an interview with reporters in Cebu.

The president said the sympathies over Arroyo's condition should not prevail over the rule of law.

"Nandoon ang ugali ng Pilipino na madali raw magpatawad, maunawaain, madaling magsimpatya sa mga taong may karamdaman," Aquino said.

"Pero ang tanong ko dito, ano ho bang dapat ipapakita natin sa kasulukuyang sambayanan at sa susunod na salinlahi?" he asked. "Sa akin ho kasi, importante na may ginawa kang krimen, kailangan pagbayaran."

Arroyo, who suffers from a back ailment, has been detained at the Veterans' Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

She was first arrested in November 2011 in connection with the 2004 presidential election fraud but was later released on bail.

Arroyo was arrested anew in 2012 for allegedly misusing the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Aquino noted that the former president is not facing small charges.

"Kailangan kung mabigat ang krimeng ginawa mo, e mabigat rin naman dapat ang kaparusahan," Aquino said.

"Kung hindi, parang sinabi natin sa lahat na 'Gawin niyo kung ano ang gusto niyo, basta makapangyarihan ka, may salapi ka, malulusutan mo lahat.' E kung ganoon ang mensahe natin, paano kaya natin babaguhin ang lipunan?" the president added.