Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was issued a warrant of arrest issued by Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig, Metro Manila. The accused Pampanga Representative was arrested in connection with electoral sabotage charges.
Senior Superintendent Franklin Bucayu, head of the Southern Police District was quoted as saying that, “She is now under our control, under our custody.” said Bacayu.
He further adds that, “The arrest warrant has been served. We tried to read her rights but her lawyers waived it because of her conditions. She smiled at us and she was expecting it.” Senior Supt. Bacayu stated.
Judge Jesus Tupas of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court signed the issued warrant of arrest against the former President Gloria Macapagal Aroyo together with Ampatuan and Bedol. The Judge found probable cause and signed the warrant of arrest at around 4:00 P.M.
The arrest warrant was given to the Pasay City police. National Capital Region Police Director then ordered the Southern Police District to serve the warrants of arrest on Arroyo which was presented to the former President at around 6:30 P.M.
Present during the issuance of the warrants of arrest were the husband of Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, former First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo and their legal team together with some former Cabinet Officials.
Police Officers were tasked to guard the former President while staying at the hospital. According to the officials from the PNP that were serving the arrest warrants stated that other steps in the booking process, including the taking of the mug shots and fingerprinting will be done at the convenient time for the President.
The issued warrants was part of the electoral fraud case that was intended for the former President in connection with the 2007 alleged poll fraud. The case which is a non bailable offense carries a life sentence if the ex-President will be proven guilty of the charges.
Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be second official holding the highest position of the country to be put under arrest after her predecessors Former President Estrada was also arrested during his term.
The warrant of arrest will prevent the President from leaving the country. It is up to the Pasay RTC who is in-charged of the case whether they will approve a hospital or house arrest for the former President of the Republic of the Philippines.
