Arroyo stopped from going overseas
Source: Agencies |
November 16, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Philippine government blocked former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband from leaving the country yesterday and said it will appeal a Supreme Court order that allowed them to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Accompanied by her husband and son, Arroyo arrived at Manila airport in an ambulance and was wheeled into a departure hall wearing a face mask and a neck brace.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the former first couple, being investigated for alleged corruption and electoral cheating, would be treated with dignity but "we will be firm in our decision not to allow them to leave the country."
"This is all high drama. They want the public to sympathize with them," he said.
The Arroyos were ushered into a VIP lounge while their lawyers, armed with the Supreme Court decision that overruled a travel ban imposed earlier by President Benigno Aquino III, tried to persuade immigration officials to allow them to board a flight to Singapore.
After about two hours, Arroyo lawyer Raul Lambino said the officials had prevented the former president from leaving. "They weren't able to board the airplane," he said, accusing the government of inflicting "inhumane, cruel punishment" on his client.
Arroyo and her husband later left the airport in the ambulance and headed to a hospital where Arroyo was to be checked for stress, said an ally, Edcel Lagman.
The government's refusal to comply with the order put the Aquino administration on a collision course not only with the Arroyos and their allies but also with the highest court.
Aquino last week refused to let Arroyo travel, saying she might never return because of the corruption investigation and the formal charges he expected would be filed against her by the end of the year.
But the justices voted 8-5 yesterday to issue a temporary restraining order allowing Arroyo to seek treatment for a bone ailment, court spokesman Midas Marquez said.
"They are free to exercise their constitutional rights," Marquez said, adding that the government could be cited for contempt.
He said the Arroyos complied with court conditions for travel by posting a bond of 2 million pesos (US$46,000) and appointing legal representatives to receive any court summonses. They were also ordered to report to Philippine embassies or consulates in countries they visit.
Aquino has promised to uproot corruption by prosecuting former officials suspected of high-level graft.
Arroyo, now a member of Congress, is under investigation by the Justice Department on allegations of plunder and election sabotage during her 2001-2010 presidency. She has denied any wrongdoing.
The government cited her possible flight from justice because the countries she said she wanted to visit have no extradition treaties with the Philippines. They include Austria, Spain, Singapore and Germany.
Arroyo, 64, has undergone three spinal surgeries. She is also suffering from a parathyroid ailment, her doctors say.
Accompanied by her husband and son, Arroyo arrived at Manila airport in an ambulance and was wheeled into a departure hall wearing a face mask and a neck brace.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the former first couple, being investigated for alleged corruption and electoral cheating, would be treated with dignity but "we will be firm in our decision not to allow them to leave the country."
"This is all high drama. They want the public to sympathize with them," he said.
The Arroyos were ushered into a VIP lounge while their lawyers, armed with the Supreme Court decision that overruled a travel ban imposed earlier by President Benigno Aquino III, tried to persuade immigration officials to allow them to board a flight to Singapore.
After about two hours, Arroyo lawyer Raul Lambino said the officials had prevented the former president from leaving. "They weren't able to board the airplane," he said, accusing the government of inflicting "inhumane, cruel punishment" on his client.
Arroyo and her husband later left the airport in the ambulance and headed to a hospital where Arroyo was to be checked for stress, said an ally, Edcel Lagman.
The government's refusal to comply with the order put the Aquino administration on a collision course not only with the Arroyos and their allies but also with the highest court.
Aquino last week refused to let Arroyo travel, saying she might never return because of the corruption investigation and the formal charges he expected would be filed against her by the end of the year.
But the justices voted 8-5 yesterday to issue a temporary restraining order allowing Arroyo to seek treatment for a bone ailment, court spokesman Midas Marquez said.
"They are free to exercise their constitutional rights," Marquez said, adding that the government could be cited for contempt.
He said the Arroyos complied with court conditions for travel by posting a bond of 2 million pesos (US$46,000) and appointing legal representatives to receive any court summonses. They were also ordered to report to Philippine embassies or consulates in countries they visit.
Aquino has promised to uproot corruption by prosecuting former officials suspected of high-level graft.
Arroyo, now a member of Congress, is under investigation by the Justice Department on allegations of plunder and election sabotage during her 2001-2010 presidency. She has denied any wrongdoing.
The government cited her possible flight from justice because the countries she said she wanted to visit have no extradition treaties with the Philippines. They include Austria, Spain, Singapore and Germany.
Arroyo, 64, has undergone three spinal surgeries. She is also suffering from a parathyroid ailment, her doctors say.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
