Court denies Arroyo’s plea to attend Bro Mike’s wedding

MANILA, Philippines – Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be unable to grace the wedding anniversary of a “close friend” and “spiritual adviser.” 

This, after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan 1st division denied her plea to be allowed to attend the 50th wedding anniversary of El Shaddai Founder and charismatic leader Bro Mariano “Mike” Velarde and his wife Belen.

In a resolution released Friday, July 18, the court said Arroyo’s “motion is bereft of merit.” The court cited its previous denial of Arroyo’s motion to be allowed to celebrate her 67th birthday in Pampanga, where she is congresswoman.

“Indeed, the Court does not share the accused-movant’s submission that the furlough she is asking is one of the privileges she may enjoy as a detention prisoner. On the contrary, the accused-movant’s stance runs counter to the very essence of her detention,” the resolution read.

The resolution was signed by Justices Efren Dela Cruz, Rafael Lagos, and Rodolfo Ponferrada.

Quoting the prosecutors, the resolution said they argued that granting Arroyo’s request will set a bad precedent and be regarded as a mockery of the administration of justice.