Faking to escape punishment.
Arrest likely after Arroyo charged with electoral fraud
Glorio Arroyo ... tried to leave the Philippines this week. Photo: AFP
MANILA: The former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo has been charged with electoral fraud in a move that could pave the way for her arrest, after the government rushed the case to a regional court to keep her from leaving the country.
But hours later, the Philippine Supreme Court maintained its decision to allow Ms Arroyo to travel overseas, turning down the government's appeal.
The high court also gave the Justice Secretary, Leila de Lima, 10 days to explain why she should not be cited for contempt for refusal to comply with the order and blocking Ms Arroyo's travel.
The charges on electoral fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment, were filed by the Commission on Elections at the Pasay Regional Trial Court in Manila, a court official said.
The regional court's Judge Jesus Mupas would now decide whether to issue an arrest warrant, said the commission chairman, Sixto Brillantes. He said he also asked for a court order barring Ms Arroyo's travel.
On Tuesday Ms Arroyo tried to leave the country, saying she was seeking treatment for a bone ailment, but was stopped at Manila airport because she was still under investigation.
She has denied any wrongdoing, and her legal spokesman, Raul Lambino, said the case against her has been fabricated: ''This is a high form of injustice.''
Her lawyer, Ferdinand Tapacio, deplored the ''indecent haste'' and criticised what he said was the government's ''emerging pattern of persecution''.
The charges stem from allegations that Ms Arroyo conspired with officials to tamper with results of 2007 congressional polls to favour her candidates.
Now that charges have been filed, Ms Arroyo likely faces arrest, Senator Francis Escudero said.
Ms Arroyo was recovering in the hospital since her failed attempt to leave the country on Tuesday, and it was doubtful she would be immediately hauled to jail even if the arrest warrant was issued.
After stepping down last year, Ms Arroyo, 64, was elected to the House of Representatives and faced at least half a dozen complaints, also alleging she diverted state funds for her campaign and benefited from foreign contracts.
Her successor, Benigno Aquino, was elected on promises to rid the Philippines of corruption and has said he wants to start with Ms Arroyo.
AP
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Faking illness is one way of escaping punishment.
I am dying to witness the day our corrupted leaders goes behind bars for life.
Pray, pray.
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