Arroyo camp posts P2-M bond shortly after SC TRO

The camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo on Tuesday tried securing their flight to Singapore by posting the P2 million cash bond at the Supreme Court — one of three conditions set by the tribunal before allowing them to leave the Philippines. Mr. Arroyo's lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, accompanied with an Arroyo messenger, attempted to pay the bond at the cashier, but the cashier refused to take the money and required them to first submit a copy of the SC ruling issuing the temporary restraining order against the watch list order on the Arroyos. Arroyo's lawyers eventually succeeded at posting at P2 million bond. Court administrator and spokesman Midas Marquez earlier announced the 8-5 ruling of the court favoring the issuance of the TRO, but said the resolution was still being drafted that time, at about 2 p.m. The messenger arrived at the SC past 4 p.m. with a black and white gym bag that contained the money. Topacio said the money was withdrawn at around P3 p.m., shortly after the court announced its ruling. After being denied by the cashier, Topacio rushed to the clerk of court to secure a copy of the resolution before government offices closed at 5 p.m.

As of posting time, Topacio has yet to secure a copy of the resolution. He said: "Ang sabi sa akin [sa clerk of court], i-issue-han daw nila ako ngayon ng copy ng reso. So we will still wait for it today." Topacio earlier confirmed that the Arroyo couple had booked a flight to Singapore at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. He refused to give more details about the flight. The Arroyos were reportedly taking a flight at the Clark International Airport. If consultations for Mrs. Arroyo, who is suffering from a bone mineral disorder, do not work out well in Singapore, Topacio said the couple intends to go to Spain next. The Department of Justice (DOJ), which placed the couple on the Immigration watch list order, has denied Mrs. Arroyo’s request to seek medical treatment abroad. "Pero kung sa Singapore pa lang, malalaman puwedeg dun na sila gamutin, eh di dun na muna sila mag-stay habang ginagamot," Topacio said. "Then after that, they will return to the Philippines," added Topacio, seeking to downplay rumors that the couple — both electoral sabotage complaints — might not return to the Philippines. - KBK, GMA News