19 July 2016•Update: 23 July 2016
By Roy Ramos
ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines
The Philippines' highest court ordered the immediate release from detention Tuesday of a former president after it dismissed a plunder case filed against her for the alleged misuse of government funds.
In a press conference, Supreme Court spokesman Theodore O. Te said the tribunal had granted petitions filed by the lawyer of former president and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seeking to annul and set aside the plunder charges filed against her.
In granting the petitions, the court dismissed the charges and ordered for her immediate release.
The former president has been under house arrest since October 2012 at the Veterans Memorial Center (VMMC) in Quezon City with a debilitating bone disease.
The case involves the alleged misuse of a P366 million ($7.82 million) confidential intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during Arroyo's presidency.
In 2004, Arroyo won the presidential race against popular movie actor Fernando Poe in an election widely criticized as marred by massive cheating.
Te said the court voted 11-4 in junking the plunder case, which was filed under the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III.
In a statement released after the ruling, Arroyo urged the public to keep faith in the justice system.
“With the High Tribunal rendering a final decision on this unfortunate episode, I sincerely hope that everyone will respect and recognize the truth that has been established,” she said.
Arroyo thanked the court for finally stopping the persecution she said she had unjustly gone through for the last five years and thanked supporters for their prayers.
“I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Rodrigo Duterte and to the honorable members of the Supreme Court,” Arroyo said.
The presidential palace has said it will respect and abide by the Supreme Court’s decision.
