Supreme Court temporarily spares Arroyo from plunder trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped for 30 days the trial against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the plunder case against her filed before the Sandiganbayan.

In a unanimous resolution, magistrates of the high court issued a status quo ante order on the case stemming from anomalies in the P365-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds during her term as leader.

SC insider says SQA on Arroyo plunder case is effective for 30 days, approved unanimously by justices | @edupunay

— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) October 20, 2015

The order provides temporary relief for the former president, now Pampanga representative, following her camp's pleading seeking immediate resolution of her bail petition.

The high court also ordered the Sandiganbayan First Division to comment on the latest petition of Arroyo.

Arroyo had filed a petition with the high court in April seeking reversal of the final ruling of the anti-graft court in February. The ruling denied her bail motion in the remaining plunder case against her.

In the petition, Arroyo asked the high tribunal to rule on her case, citing a recent report from the United Nations (UN) Technical Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recommending her release from detention.

The UN panel has recommended a consideration of Arroyo’s application for bail "in accordance with the relevant international human rights standards."

READ: SC to tackle GMA bail plea today

Arroyo argued that the UN panel’s position was consistent with the petition for bail and demurrer to evidence her defense lawyers filed before the Sandiganbayan.

Arroyo, who recently filed her certificate for candidacy for reelection as Pampanga representative, has been under hospital arrest  since 2012. — reports from STAR/Edu Punay