Sandigan suspends GMA plunder trial

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plunder trial before the Sandiganbayan has been suspended, in compliance with a directive from the Supreme Court (SC) issued last Oct. 20.

Sandiganbayan justices have decided against commenting on a petition of the Pampanga lawmaker questioning the denial of her motion for bail and demurrer to evidence.

“The Sandiganbayan has observed and undertake to continue to observe, the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the assailed Sandiganbayan Resolution, dated April 6, 2015, insofar as petitioner Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is concerned,” the Sandiganbayan said in its manifestation sent to the SC last week.

“Considering that it is just a nominal party in the petition filed by petitioner Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Sandiganbayan hereby manifests that it is no longer filing its comment on the said petition.” 

First Division chairman Efren   dela Cruz, along with Associate Justices Rodolfo Ponferrada and Rafael Lagos, signed the manifestation.

Last month, the SC issued a status quo ante order stopping the Sandiganbayan from further proceeding with Arroyo’s plunder trial on her alleged involvement in the supposed misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

Arroyo had appealed to the SC the anti-graft court’s rejection of her motion to dismiss the charges against her halfway through the trial on grounds that the prosecution had failed to prove the accusations against her.

Through her lawyers, Arroyo, who is detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), said that she should be granted temporary liberty since she is not a flight risk and is actually very ill.

She also believes that the plunder case against her should be dismissed since prosecutors allegedly failed to show any proof of her involvement in the alleged misuse of PCSO funds.