The country’s most popular candidate on social media, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte promised on Friday in front of the Pampangans crowd that he would release former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from detention once elected as President of the Republic of the Philippines this coming May 2016 national elections.
The former president who holds the seat as congresswoman of the 2nd District of Pampanga has been detained in Manila for six years on charges of electoral fraud and plunder. The plans of Mayor Duterte to free Pres. Arroyo received cheers from the residents of Pampanga.
Mayor Duterte was quoted during a gathering of the group Friends of Rody Duterte in Pampanga: “If I am elected President, I will release her. Why? Because the evidence [against her] is weak. I know that. I am a lawyer,” Duterte said.
The former president was arrested in 2011 on electoral fraud charges in connection with the 2007 elections, but was allowed bail in 2012. Before she could be freed, however, the Sandiganbayan ordered her arrest on charges of plunder, involving alleged misuse of P366 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office when she was President.
The 112th Branch of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court has yet to open Arroyo’s trial for electoral fraud. She has won an order from the Supreme Court temporarily stopping her trial for plunder.
Watch the Warmest Welcome of Mayor Duterte in Pampanga:
