Ampatuan no-show at arraignment

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Former Maguindanao Gov Andal Ampatuan Sr, who faces an electoral sabotage charge, is still reportedly ill and confined in a hospital

VOMITING BLOOD. Andal Ampatuan Sr was rushed to the hospital after vomiting blood Friday, his lawyer says. Photo from Newsbreak

MANILA, Philippines – The scheduled arraignment of former Maguindanao Gov Andal Ampatuan Sr for electoral sabotage Thursday, March 15, did not push through after the ailing patriarch skipped the proceedings at the Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC).

Ampatuan was still reportedly ill after he vomited blood and was rushed to the hospital Friday, March 9. 

Quezon City RTC Branch 221 issued an order to continue Ampatuan’s hospital confinement, said Pasay RTC Branch 112 spokesperson Felda Domingo in an interview.

“We are constrained to reset the arraignment until further information,” Domingo said. Under normal procedures, courts cannot arraign an accused in his or her absence, she noted.

The electoral sabotage case facing Ampatuan is the same charge for which former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was arrested last year, and arraigned last month. Arroyo entered a “not guilty” plea.

Their co-accused, former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol, was arraigned early this week.

Pasay RTC Branch 112 is also scheduled to hear Arroyo and Bedol’s petition for bail Thursday. The hearing begins 9 a.m. – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!
Avatar photo

author

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com