SC calls for special en banc session on defiance of TRO

The Supreme Court will hold a special en banc session Friday to discuss pleadings which were not tackled on Tuesday, including the Department of Justice's (DOJ) defiance of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued on the watch list orders against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel. Chief Justice Corona called for the special session, SC spokesman Jose Midas Marquez told reporters. Discussions on the DOJ's defiance of the TRO and motion to hold oral arguments earlier and the motion to reconsider the high court order, said Marquez. Mrs. Arroyo and former First Gentleman Jose Miguel, attempted to leave the country Tuesday night, hours after the SC stopped the Aquino administration from enforcing the watch list orders against them. However, immigration officials blocked the Arroyo couple attempt to leave the country on orders of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Marquez, however, noted the TRO stays and ought to be enforced. "It’s the position of court, it's immediately executory and continues to be effective until lifted or suspended by (the) court… the court is concerned, of course, on the compliance with this order," he said.
Court to tackle pending matters "The court can actually commission or designate any government official to see through the compliance of its orders but the court has not done that yet. As mentioned, court will take these pending matters on Friday," he added. Marquez said they will wait for the DOJ and other officials’ reply to their show cause and comply order. "Antayin natin kung ano mangyayari. Kung may pleading, this will be included in the en banc session," he added.
The Arroyo camp has repeatedly said the former President wants to travel abroad for medical help, not to escape prosecution. Mrs. Arroyo is suffering from a bone mineral disorder and hypoparathyroidism, while her husband has undergone cardiac surgery. Mrs. Arroyo is currently facing plunder and electoral sabotage complaints while Mr. Arroyo is facing electoral sabotage charges for allegedly rigging results of the 2007 national elections. The Arroyos were supposed to leave the country on Wednesday but postponed it because the former President's blood pressure remains high. Her spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn said Mrs. Arroyo decided to leave for Singapore on Thursday. — VS/ELR, GMA News