Sandiganbayan allows Arroyo to travel abroad

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Wednesday granted the motion of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to travel to Germany, France and Hong Kong.

The Fourth Division of the Sandiganbayan ordered the former president and her husband, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, to deposit a travel bond worth P90,000 before the court.

The court granted Arroyo's request to leave the country for Munich, Germany and Paris, France not earlier than September 19 and must return not later than October 3.

Arroyo was also allowed to leave for Hong Kong not earlier than October 29 and must return by November 4.

The lawmaker is expected to personally present herself to the division clerk or court within five days from the expected date of return from her trips.

The trip to Europe is for vacation and for the former chief executive to consult with doctors, while the trip to Hong Kong is for a family reunion.

Arroyo is facing charges of graft and breach of code of conduct before the Sandiganbayan in connection to the $329-million ZTE broadband deal.

The former first gentleman is also facing graft charges for the broadband deal and for the allegedly anomalous purchase of police helicopters in 2009.

The Supreme Court recently dismissed the plunder charges against Arroyo in connection to the alleged misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds. The high court ordered the release of the former chief executive who had been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center since October 2012. — Patricia Lourdes Viray