GMA lawyers eye SC in push for bail

MANILA, Philippines - Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s lawyers are planning to file an appeal before the Supreme Court to reverse a Sandiganbayan ruling junking her request to be granted bail last week in connection with a plunder case filed against her.

Modesto Ticman Jr. said they could also file “another motion for bail based on the weakness of the prosecution’s evidence.” 

The Sandiganbayan affirmed last week its November 2013 decision denying Arroyo’s petition for bail, maintaining that there is sufficient evidence to deny her temporary liberty while she is on trial and noting that health reasons cannot be made the basis for granting bail.

 â€œIn so doing, we feel that the Sandiganbayan has taken hook, line and sinker the prosecution’s evidence without appreciating the arguments in her motion that proof of her guilt leaves much to be desired,” Ticman said.

He questioned how the Sandiganbayan’s First Division could have concluded that the evidence of her guilt for plunder is strong when, during the bail hearing, the prosecution did not come up with proof that she illegally amassed, accumulated or acquired, wholly or at least a part of the confidential and intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.