Former President Arroyo prevented from leaving the Philippines

[News_Editor]

Former President Arroyo prevented from leaving the Philippines

2011-11-16 13:06:51 GMT+7 (ICT)

MANILA (BNO NEWS) -- Philippine authorities on Tuesday prevented former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving the country despite a court order which allowed her to seek medical treatment abroad.

The Supreme Court issued an order earlier on Tuesday to allow Arroyo to leave the country to seek medical treatment for a rare bone disease. The order, approved in an 8-5 vote, allows her to travel to at least five countries where the Philippines has no extradition treaty, meaning Arroyo could find refugee there if Philippine authorities charge her.

After the order was issued, Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to board a flight to Singapore. However, immigration authorities stopped them from boarding the flight on orders from President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Justice Department.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima claimed the Office of the Solicitor General of the Department of Justice had not yet received the Supreme Court order. In addition, de Lima said it will uphold its travel ban for Arroyo nonetheless and urgently file a motion for reconsideration.

However, the Justice Secretary also said that authorities cannot arrest the Arroyos because no charges have been filed against them. The couple is currently facing allegations of electoral fraud and corruption, but de Lima said authorities are taking a long time because they want to ensure that evidence is strong enough to stand in court.

Philippine authorities fear that the former president will not return to the country if she is allowed to seek medical treatment abroad. De Lima said the fact that Arroyo immediately booked a flight to Singapore has further heightened the government's suspicion that they intend to evade possible charges.

A statement issued by the presidential office said President Aquino is 'frustrated' by the Supreme Court decision and instructed "to do what is necessary" to prevent the Arroyos from leaving the country. De Lima noted that the government may file an electoral sabotage case against Arroyo before Christmas.

Arroyo served as the 14th President of the Philippines from January 2010 until June 2010. She is currently serving as a Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Pampanga's 2nd district.

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