GMA camp hopeful SC to grant bail plea

MANILA, Philippines - After the United Nations Technical Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should be released from detention, the camp of the now Pampanga lawmaker expressed hope that the Supreme Court (SC) would grant her bail.

The bail petition denied by the Sandiganbayan has been on appeal before the SC for almost six months now.

Rep. Arroyo’s lawyer Laurence Hector Arroyo said he is hopeful that the UN body’s opinion will persuade members of the SC to move in the congresswoman’s favor.

He also said the finding of the UN body is a “welcome development” and consistent with the petition for bail and demurrer to evidence defense lawyers filed for the former president before the Sandiganbayan First Division.

Arroyo has been detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for three years for plunder over her alleged involvement in the misuse of confidential and intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

While government lawyers allege conspiracy, almost all of Arroyo’s co-accused are either out on bail or had been acquitted of the charges.

The UN Technical Working Group on Arbitrary Detention is composed of five independent human rights experts. Arroyo is represented in the UN by international human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, wife of actor George Clooney.

Malacañang has downplayed the opinion of the UN body. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima also said Philippine laws should prevail over the case against the former president.

Arroyo’s defense lawyers said even Philippine laws and jurisprudence clearly provide that the former leader is entitled to be released from detention.

“We welcome this development and thank Ms. Clooney for all her efforts. Insofar as GMA’s bail petition is concerned, it is now before the Supreme Court, the final bastion of justice. While generally accepted principles of international law form part of the law of the land, our petition is anchored on domestic rules and jurisprudence,” legal counsel Arroyo said. – With Perseus Echeminada