President Gloria Arroyo Arrested for Electoral Sabotage

Former President Gloria Arroyo is now under hospital arrest after a regional trial court issued an arrest warrant. Representatives from law enforcement agencies went to St Luke's Medical Center to serve the arrest warrant where the former President is confined due to her medical condition.



The Commission on Election rushed to the court today in filing the electoral sabotage charge against Rep. Arroyo. The former president is accused of rigging the 2004 Presidential Election. Election officials and other witnesses accused the former president of masterminding the 12-0 win in Maguindanao.

Meanwhile, The Supreme Court maintained its stand to enforce the TRO which is supposed to allow the Arroyo couple to leave the country. The highest court still voted 8-5 in rejecting the petition of the DOJ. In addition, the SC instructed Justice Secretary de Lima to explain within 10 days why she must not face in contempt. The Supreme court believes that de Lima refused to follow the order of the SC. She might face a fine and a possible imprisonment of 6 months.

Currently, the former President is guarded by police officers and is barred from leaving the hospital. Taking of finger prints and mug shot photos is scheduled on Saturday at the hospital.

The camp of the former President has yet to give statement on her arrest. It is not also clear if the former President will stay in the St Luke's Medical Center or will be brought to a Quezon City detention cell if her condition improves.

President Arroyo Back to Hospital after Failed Attempt to Leave the Country

President Arroyo held at the airport despite TRO

The Bureau of Immigration prevented former President Gloria Arroyo from leaving the country Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. They were expected to board the Dragon Air flight at 8:50 pm but was later told by the BI officials that they can't leave the country despite the issuance of the TRO by the Supreme Court. The former President was forced to go back to St Luke's Medical Center.

Earlier that day, the Supreme Court decided to allow the former President to exercise her freedom to travel and seek medical treatment abroad. Some of the conditions set by the highest court include posting of P2 million bond, appointing a lawyer that will receive subpoenas and will represent them in court proceedings, a call or visit in the Philippine embassy where they are expected to seek medical treatment.

Justices Voted for and Against the TRO

The justices that voted for the issuance of the TRO were Chief Justice Renato Corona, Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, and Jose Perez

Five justices who opposed the decision were Senior Justice Antonio Carpio, Assoc. Justices Maria Lourdes Sereno, Bienvenido Reyes, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, & Jose Mendoza. Two justices were on leave.

The 8-5 decision made the Arroyos decide to immediately comply with the conditions and booked several flights to Singapore. However, the DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima maintained their stand that the Arroyos could not leave the country because  they have not receive a copy of the TRO and they will still contest the ruling of the highest court.

Debate on the Legality of Watchlist Order and Dishonor of the SC Decision

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Supreme Court, Justice Midas Marquez argued that the TRO is already in effect and executory. This now leads to various sentiments and opinions whether the government is now acting beyond its power.

The camp of the former president will file a case in court citing in contempt the Secretary of Justice for not honoring the TRO. Other constitutionalists says that this could lead to constitutional crisis. Pro and anti Gloria have different opinions on this issue. Others said that the government should follow the order of the supreme court while others hails the DOJ for taking a hard stand on the case.

The case of plunder, electoral sabotage and cases have yet to be filed in court against the Arroyos. They are still in the preliminary investigation. If the former President leaves the country it will be difficult for the administration to put her in jail.

Political Asylum for Former President Gloria Arroyo

Political Asylum for President GMA

The alleged political asylum application of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became a hot issue after the government refused to grant the former president a chance to be treated abroad. The PNoy administration feels that the former president may not return to the Philippines if allowed to travel abroad. Congresswoman Gloria Arroyo is facing so many charges but these are not yet filed in courts. Among the many list of possible charges that may be filed against the Arroyo's are plunder and electoral sabotage.

The Arroyo camp denied any application for political asylum in the Dominican Republic. This was also confirmed by some foreign officials of the said country. Though, the Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima did not confirm that there is, she still talk to the media about the issue.

According to a legal expert, the continued persecution of the present government of the Arroyos will make it easier for the latter to seek political asylum. If the cases will finally go to courts, President GMA had to take this as a last resort.

President GMA already avoided the US as a possible country for her treatment because she knows that there is a strong extradition treaty between the Philippines and the US. She opted for European countries like Italy, Spain and UK. Other countries also emerged as a possible destination of GMA for her treatment. But critics believe that she is not seeking treatment but want to evade the charges that will be filed against her.

Since the Dominican Republic denied any offering of political asylum to the former President, what other countries do you think are willing to cuddle the former President.

Lets take your stand on this. List the countries in the comment section.

Half-sister of Senator Bong Revilla who was Implicated in the Murder of Her Brother Flown to Turkey

Updates on the Ramgen Revilla Murder Case

According to recent reports, Ramona Bautista Revilla, the sister of murdered Ramgen Revilla, flown to Turkey. She left the country Friday aboard Boeing 747 plane of Cathay Pacific at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 1. The plane was bound to Hongkong but reports from law enforcement agencies revealed that Ramona Revilla was already in Turkey.

Atty. Dennis Manzanal, the lawyer of Ramona, earlier said that the decision of his client to leave the country is to avoid media persecution. "Flight from media, not from justice. No legal impediment to travel," he told a media outfit.

Ramona Revilla is one of the suspects in the murder of actor Ramgen Revilla, her brother. According to the police investigation, the crime was committed because of siblings rivalry which the family vehemently denies. Authorities already apprehended other suspects involved in the death of Ramgen and frustrated murder of his girlfriend Janelle Manahan who is still recuperating from gunshot wounds. Mahanan is set to undergo another operation this week.

Ramon Joseph “RJ” Bautista, the alleged mastermind, is already at the custody of the authorities. Other suspects also testified that Ramon Joseph and Ramona had a hand in the killing of their brother.

Senator Bong Revilla issued a statement that they will help in finding justice for his murdered half brother. He also asked Ramona to face the investigation and leaving the country could be a sign of guilt.

Since there is no issued arrest warrant for Ramona Bautista Revilla, authorities can't ask for Interpol's help in tracking the whereabouts of Ramona. According to NBI director Magtanggol Gatdula, there are several legal impediments that prevents the agency from pursuing Bautista.

Ramona can't be placed in the Red notice of Interpol because of lack of arrest warrant. The Prosecutor’s Office will conduct its preliminary investigation into the murder and frustrated murder case on November 8. They will determine if there is a probable cause to indict Ramona Revilla.

We will update this post on any development on this murder case involving the son and daughter of former actor and Senator Ramon Revilla Sr.

update:

-another suspect in the Ramgen Revilla murder case could become a state witness.
-Janelle Manahan tweeted thanking her friends and family for the support and prayers, shes getting better.
-arraignment of RJ Bautista re-scheduled on January 17, 2012
-two suspects, Glaiza Visda and Norwin de la Cruz implicated another sibling of slained actor Ramgen Revilla. His sister Gail or Maria Ragelyn Bautista was named as one of the mastermind in the killing of the young actor. Authorities have yet to verify the info and does not consider Gail as one of the suspects yet.
-Ramona Revilla was not in Turkey anymore according to the Interpol.

-alleged sex videos of Janelle Manahan and Ramgen Revilla circulating in the net, CIDG now looking for the uploader of video.
-Janelle talks about the alleged sex video