Freedom for Arroyo after court clearance
Print Edition
FORMER Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was released from detention yesterday following nearly five years in a military hospital after the Supreme Court dismissed her corruption charges, her lawyer said.
The 69-year-old, who suffers from a spinal illness, was accused of stealing 366 million pesos (US$8.8 million) in state lottery funds meant for charity programs while she was in office between 2001 and 2010.
The Supreme Court threw out the case on Tuesday, citing insufficient evidence, but her release was delayed for procedural reasons.
“It’s a happy day today because she has just been freed,” said Laurence Arroyo, who is also a distant relative through marriage. “Finally justice has been done.”
A convoy of vehicles carrying Arroyo, her supporters and lawyers left the suburban hospital compound near Manila. Outside the hospital gates, supporters drenched by rain cheered Arroyo’s release and carried placards reading: “We love Gloria.”
Arroyo returned home after her release. Laurence Arroyo said she may now seek medical treatment abroad for her disease. The former leader was jailed in 2011 under the administration of arch critic, then-president Benigno Aquino.
Aquino questioned the ruling to free Arroyo yesterday, saying she should be held accountable for the mismanagement of funds that were supposed “to alleviate the suffering of many of our countrymen.”
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