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Palace: Court to decide where to detain Arroyo


The courts will have the final say on where arrested former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be detained, Malacañang reminded various parties pushing various venues for her detention Sunday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the electoral sabotage case that led to Mrs. Arroyo’s arrest is under the jurisdiction of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court. “That matter is now under jurisdiction of the RTC. Ang nangyari, the warrant was served, even the doctors of the former president said her medical condition is sensitive. Hinayaan naman natin manatili doon (sa ospital)," Valte said on state-run dzRB radio. Arroyo has been staying at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City since Tuesday night, when she was barred from leaving the country to seek medical treatment abroad for her bone disorder. She has remained there even after the Southern Police District served an arrest warrant on her for alleged electoral sabotage. Earlier reports quoted various sectors as pushing for other venues to detain Arroyo in. While Senate President Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy" Estrada reportedly wants Arroyo detained at a government hospital, militant groups staged a lightning rally near the SLMC to call for Arroyo’s detention at a jail facility and not a hospital.


“It is not the executive’s position to give that particular point... The representation of the former president will have to seek the approval of the RTC on the matter of the hospital arrest," Valte said. On the other hand, when asked if the Palace is amenable to Mrs. Arroyo being detained at the SPD headquarters, she said they will refer to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima as to the detention arrangements. “Again hintayin natin ang magiging dikta ng korte kung ano ang magiging paglutas sa motion na ihahain kung meron man ihahain ang kampo ng dating pangulo," she said. Valte also declined to comment if President Benigno Aquino III will visit Mrs. Arroyo, now a congresswoman representing the second district of Pampanga, while she is under detention. “I don’t know if there are any plans to visit. I really don’t know," she said. Strong case? Meanwhile, Valte declined to directly answer if the government has a strong case against Mrs. Arroyo, but said it will prosecute the case “to the best of our ability." She also declined to comment on whether the government is optimistic it can secure a conviction before Aquino’s term ends in 2016. “That we don’t know, this is not something within the control of the executive. From the part of the executive, we will avoid any undue delay on our part when it comes to our participation in the case," she said. Valte likewise declined to comment on whether the Palace thinks what happened to Arroyo is “poetic justice." “That is something for the people to decide, we’d rather not answer that question," she said. More cases? Valte said that if there will be more corruption and poll fraud cases filed against Mrs. Arroyo, these will not be based on personality but on the evidence presented in court. “It’s not against a particular person but cases are filed based on the evidence presented in the preliminary investigation," she said. “The public can be assured whatever cases that will be filed against any former government official will be based on the evidence," she added. Appeal to garci? Malacañang said it is leaving to “witnesses" like former poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, an alleged participant in the rigging of the 2004 elections to favor then presidential candidate Mrs. Arroyo, whether to come out and testify on poll fraud cases. “That is entirely up to them. We made known our position. We are pursuing transparency and accountability, anyone who wishes to help government in this program is certainly welcome to do so," Valte said. - KBK, GMA News
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