Palace: Let courts decide on Arroyo prosecution

Malacanang on Saturday told presidential aspirants who vowed to prosecute President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after her term to leave the decision on the matter to the judiciary. Deputy presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said politicians running for the presidency should avoid influencing the judiciary by promising to pursue charges against Arroyo once her term ends in June. “Perhaps they should review the law. It is the judiciary, not the president, who decides whether or not to prosecute someone," Saludo said in Filipino in an interview over government-run dzRB radio. “When a President says he wants to pursue cases against someone, he or she begins meddling with the judicial process," he added. The Palace official was reacting to statements by seven presidential aspirants, who promised in a forum on Friday to hold Arroyo accountable for all the controversies under administration once she ends her term. [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/182780/gloves-are-off-noynoy-takes-a-swipe-at-gibo] Among the presidential hopefuls who vowed to prosecute Arroyo were Senators Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III, Richard Gordon, Manuel Villar Jr. and Ana Consuelo “Jamby Madrigal; environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, Olongapo City councilor JC delos Reyes, and evangelist Eddie Villanueva. During the same forum, administration bet Gilberto Teodoro Jr. was grilled for refusing to answer a question on whether Arroyo, as President, had done anything during her term that could lead to her prosecution. Saludo likewise said that presidential aspirants who want to prosecute Arroyo should get rid of their “vindictive" characters because it would not be good for their candidacies. “People should not look at surveys or winnability as basis on who they will vote for in the coming elections. They should look at conscience, character and platform," he said.—Andreo Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV