Malacañang, SC blamed for Arroyo’s attempts to flee justice

 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/