GMA trial may last until 2017

MANILA, Philippines - The trial of the electoral sabotage case against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may last until 2017 due to the number of witnesses against her, a court officer said yesterday.

An officer of the Pasay City regional trial court, who requested anonymity, said the prosecution has lined up at least 55 witnesses against Arroyo.

Arroyo, along with former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and election officer Lintang Bedol, is undergoing trial for poll sabotage charges in connection with alleged cheating in the 2007 elections.

The former president has been detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on plunder charges for alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds.