Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — Two progressive lawmakers and leaders of various peoples
organizations said the blame over the attempts of former president
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to leave the country should be laid at the doors
of two institutions: Malacañang and the Supreme Court.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño’s said the High Court’s decision to
grant Macapagal-Arroyo a temporary restraining order against the hold
departure order of the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not serve the
interest of justice for three reasons.
“First, it ignores the fact that Macapagal-Arroyo is facing several
investigations for serious crimes and it is in her interest not to
return to face these charges. In other words, it ignores the reality
that she is a serious flight risk. Second, it ignores the fact that
there is no urgency for the ex-president to go abroad for medical
reasons as attested to by her doctors. If there is any urgency, it is to
flee the very serious charges against her.
Third, the decision renders
moot and academic the deliberations on the case set for next week, as
she would have already left the country as she is desperately trying to
do now. In other words, even if the Court eventually rules that the
government is within its right to restrict Macapagal-Arroyo’s travel,
it can’t be implemented anymore,” he said.
Casiño said the government should exhaust all legal and
administrative remedies to prevent Macapagal-Arroyo from leaving
provided that it is within the bounds of due process and human rights.
“The most important thing at this point is for government to do
everything it can to make the former executive accountable for her
crimes,” he said.
Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Luz Ilagan for her part said
it is not enough for DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima to file a motion for
reconsideration on the Supreme Court decision.
“It is high time for President Benigno Aquino III to show political
will and immediately direct the DOJ to initiate the filing of charges
against the Arroyos. Otherwise, this legal fiasco provides an
opportunity for one of Philippine history’s biggest plunderer to escape
accountability, and no less than the Aquino administration will be held
liable for this injustice,” she said.
Ilagan also expressed her doubts on the Arroyos’ intent to return and
face charges once they have been allowed to leave the country.
“They can always say they will return, but we all know they have lied so many times,” she said.
The rhetoric and blame game
A human rights lawyer also criticized the president for “twiddling
his fingers” over Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempts to leave the country. Edre
Olalia, secretary-general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers
(NUPL) said Macapagal-Arroyo was attempting to escape justice and
frustrate efforts to prosecute her..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/11/17/malacanang-sc-blamed-for-arroyo%E2%80%99s-attempts-to-flee-justice/
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