GMA moves belongings from VMMC to Congress

MANILA, Philippines – It looks like Pampanga Rep Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is looking at long-term freedom. A day after her release from hospital arrest on Wednesday, July 25, workers were seen moving furniture and kitchen items from the Veterans Memorical Medical Center (VMMC) to her office in the House of Representatives.

Spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn said Mrs Arroyo wanted to attend the House plenary session on Wednesday–the same day she was released–but was persuaded to stay home and rest.

“Kahapon gusto niya pumuntang House. Kaya lang kinausap namin na hindi siya kagaya nang dati. She has to realize that it cannot be business as usual. Kailangan asikasuhin muna niya ang kaniyang kalusugan pati ang kanyang pamilya,” said Horn. (Yesterday she wanted to go to the House. But we told her, she’s not the same as before…She has to first attend to her health and her family.)

Horn said some of Arroyo’s allies were already waiting for her at the House of Representatives.

She added they will await doctors’ advice if Mrs Arroyo will be allowed to attend sessions.

Up to Sandiganbayan

Arroyo is facing a plunder case before the Sandiganbayan. Plunder is a non-bailable offense. The court has issued a hold departure order against her but not an arrest warrant.

Mrs Arroyo has a pending motion asking the court to suspend proceedings and the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with her P366-M plunder case.

The prosecution was given 5 days to respond. The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the case, also asked the court to immediately issue a warrant of arrest.

“We are really putting our hopes into the legal process,” said Horn in a press conference earlier in the day.

“Sana masunod yung proseso kung paano dinggin ang mga kaso. Alam namin kung anong ebidensya ang meron. Our lawyers are confident kaya naming i-defend ang dating pangulo,” she said. (We hope the process of hearing the case will be followed. We know what evidence is available. Our lawyers are confident we can defend the former president.) – Rappler.com

More in #ArroyoWatch: 

• Timeline: Arroyo and her electoral sabotage case
• Sandiganbayan: Why was Arroyo released?
• Arroyo bail: Forgive and forget?
• Court grants Arroyo bail in election case
• Court bars Arroyo, ex-PCSO chair from leaving
• Arroyo, 9 others charged with plunder
• Arroyo bail feared due to ‘rushed’ case
• Ombudsman asked to file plunder case vs Arroyo
• Comelec broke rules to charge Arroyo