‘GMA continues with House duties despite detention’

MANILA, Philippines - Even while under detention, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has authored and co-authored over 200 bills in the House of Representatives since 2010, including some measures that were enacted into law, her chief of staff said yesterday.

Ma. Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s chief of staff, said despite her frail health and being detained at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City, she “continues with her duties and responsibilities as a member of the House of Representatives.”

Arroyo is under detention at the VMMC after being accused of plunder by the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly pocketing P366 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The case is now being heard at the Sandiganbayan and her lawyers have sought relief before the Supreme Court, arguing Arroyo was a victim of persecution and that the charge was totally without basis.

Arroyo was previously detained for a year at the VMMC in 2011 on charges of electoral sabotage. The Pasay regional trial court, however, ordered her release on bail due to the weak case filed by the prosecutors.

“The former president continues with her legislative work as Pampanga’s second district representative having authored at least 29 bills and co-authored 227 others,” Horn said, adding the other co-author is her son, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo.

She said at least five of her bills were passed on third and final reading in the chamber, including House Bill 4540 amending Sections 91 and 97 of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Act of 1998; HB 6750 or the VMMC bill; HB 6542 or the overseas absentee voting bill; HB 4251 or the Driving under Influence of Alcohol bill; and the Corporate Social Res-ponsibility bill.

One of them, HB 383, eventually became the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 signed by President Aquino after her bill was consolidated with other similar measures and approved by the House, Horn said.

Meanwhile, Arroyo had a sad Christmas and New Year at the VMMC, according to her husband Jose Miguel.

“It was, as usual, a very sad Christmas for us because she was detained. That’s life,” he told reporters yesterday.

Asked how the former president is doing, he said she is “the same as before” as she is “still suffering.”