No Xmas break for GMA

[UPDATED, 4:11 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines – The Pasay City Regional Trial Court junked the petition of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for Christmas at home, sources said.

The court also did not allow Arroyo’s request for use of mobile phone and laptop, which she will use to complete a book. 

Arroyo’s camp requested the court for a Christmas furlough in her home at La Vista Village after she was transferred to the state-owned Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) where she is on hospital arrest. 

Arroyo was previously staying at the posh private hospital St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City. 

An arrest warrant against her was issued based on an electoral sabotage case.

Palace reax

Malacanang said it is pleased with the court ruling, stressing that Arroyo should not get any special treatment.

“The decision of the court is fair. We’ve always maintained that there should be no special treatment accorded to CGMA (Arroyo) and that arrangements should be made with due respect to her condition,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

New Year

In an interview with ANC, Arroyo’s lawyer, Laurence Arroyo, said her entire family, from children to grandchildren, will be there to spend Christmas with her.

Atty. Arroyo also said they will file a motion for reconsideration in the hope that the former president can still spend New Year at home. – Rappler.com