Lawyer: Mike Arroyo will not seek Allow Departure Order

Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo has no plans of asking the government for permission to go abroad, unlike his wife, former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose request has been denied. Mr. Arroyo's lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, on Tuesday told reporters at the Supreme Court that applying for an Allow Departure Order would be like acknowledging the legality of the watch list order issued against his client. "Hindi kami maga-apply sapagkat consistent po ang aming stand na wala pong karapatan ang DOJ na pigilan siya," Topacio said before filing a petition for certiorari and prohibition with prayer to issue temporary restraining order. "Bakit kami maga-apply para sa ADO kung sinasabi namin na itong [Department Circular] 41 ay null and void at walang bisa at labag sa Saligang Batas," he added.

Cases of election sabotage have been slapped against the Arroyo couple for allegedly ordering the manipulation of elections results in 2007 to ensure the victory of their allies in the senatorial race. Unlike Mr. Arroyo, Mrs. Arroyo has been, for the last three weeks, asking Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to issue an ADO so she could leave the country to seek treatment for her bone mineral disorder abroad. De Lima, however, denied the request. Topacio criticized President Benigno Aquino III for the government’s rejection of Mrs. Arroyo’s request. He noted that Aquino’s father, the late late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., was allowed to seek treatment in the US at the height of martial law by then-President Ferdinand Marcos. "Ibig pong sabihin, mas masahol pa sa martial law ang ginagawa ni Pangulong Aquino at ito ay karimarimarim at karumaldumal," Topacio said. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News