Manila (AsiaNews) - Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will try one last chance to avoid arrest on corruption charges and life imprisonment. Today, Raul Lambin, her attorney announced a Supreme Court motion against the Court of Pasay City which validated the arrest. According to lawyer the documents should have been submitted to the Sandiganbayan court, which handles cases against public officials. "We believe that there has been a violation of due process - he said - as the papers regarding this case were presented to the court wrong." The official verdict will arrive by November 21.
For two days Arroyo is in custody at a hospital in the capital, where she was hospitalized for a rare bone disease. A few days ago with her husband she had attempted to flee abroad for medical treatment but was arrested shortly after her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila. President Aquino said he was willing to allow the entry of a foreign medical team to prevent the emigration of the former president, seen by many as an attempt to escape.
Accused of electoral fraud during the 2007 elections, Arroyo is the second Filipino leader to stand trial for corruption. Her predecessor Jospeph Estrada was arrested in 2007 and pardoned after 40 days in jail by the same president.
Philippines, former President Arroyo arrested in hospital
Her lawyer announces a Supreme Court motion for violation of due process. Arroyo risks life imprisonment on charges of electoral fraud. As of yesterday, the former president is in custody at a hospital in Manila, where she was hospitalized for a rare bone disease.
