Court grants Arroyo’s request for separate arraignment

Friday, February 17, 2012

MANILA -- The Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has granted the request of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to have a separate arraignment for the electoral sabotage charge she is facing.

The RTC branch 112 had set a March 19 arraignment for Arroyo and her co-accused, former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election supervisor Lintang Bedol.

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The trio is facing electoral sabotage charges filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) late last year.

But while Judge Jesus Mupas has acceded to Arroyo's request for a separate arraignment, he has yet to set a date for the proceedings.

"The date of the proceeding has yet to be decided by the court but former President Arroyo will be arraigned separately from her co-accused," the court's spokesperson Felda Domingo said.

Domingo clarified, however, that the former President's arraignment was definitely not going to push through on Monday, February 20, as originally scheduled.

Mupas postponed the arraignment of Arroyo, Ampatuan and Bedol and reset it to March 19 to give time for the resolution of the pending motions.

Ampatuan and Bedol have filed with the court separate motions for judicial determination of probable cause and motion to dismiss.

Arroyo, through her lawyer Benjamin Santos, earlier argued that the court should proceed with the arraignment on February 20 for security and health reasons, adding that setting her arraignment on the same day as her co-accused would be a "security nightmare" for the authorities.

Santos added that a February 20 arraignment for the 64-year-old Arroyo would not affect the arraignment of her co-accused and that it would also be more convenient for the court to do so.

After Friday’s hearing, Santos again pressed for the arraignment on its original date or soon hereafter, adding the former chief executive is already set on the proceeding.

"It would be hard for her if the arraignment is deferred because she has to build up strength and prepare mentally for another date," the lawyer said.

He added that holding the arraignment of the three on the same date would tax the authorities, especially as they have to take care of the security measures for them.

Arroyo is currently under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Last week, Mupas allowed her to stay for the time being at the VMMC, saying she still needs treatment for her recurring back pains.

But Mupas pointed out that she may still be transferred to a regular jail, as petitioned by the Comelec, if her physical condition improves.

Ampatuan, who is also facing multiple murder charges in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, is detained at the Metro Manila District Jail at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Bedol, on the other hand, is serving a sentence for contempt at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Sought for comment after the hearing, Comelec Law Department head Esmeralda Ladra said it would be more practical, especially in terms of security and logistics, if the arraignment of the three would be held on the same date.

"We do not want to add stress to Mrs. Arroyo and as to the security, authorities would not find it hard to secure them if they are arraigned at the same time," Ladra said, adding it is up to the court to decide on the issue. (AH/Sunnex)