Rosales, Arvee D.

SOSC 1- S1-4R No Special Treatment The past few days had been a wild ride for Philippine politics and for those who had been closely monitoring it. The anxious chapter in the nations life unfolded without any hint. And we have the President and his cohorts to thank for bringing us into this badly scripted thriller by haphazardly pursuing a case against former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the last minute. The turn of events was just too quick that news stories had very short shelf lives that were outlasted only by the testicle of Arroyos lawyer Ferdinand Topacio. The uproars ending Rep. Arroyo being served a warrant of arrest was so abrupt that the move was hailed by government supporters as sign of the Aquino administrations political will. On a closer look though, the haste was more of an act of desperation to save President Benigno Aquino IIIs political capital. On Nov. 15, former president Arroyo, together with her husband, almost left the country to seek medical treatment abroad in the middle of allegations on electoral fraud and corruption. The Supreme Court (SC) greenlighted Rep. Arroyos travel abroad as it issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the watch list order separately imposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Arroyo her husband Mike. But immigration officials defied the SC order and heeded the DOJs instructions as they prevented the Arroyos from boarding the plane. The shouting and showdown at the airport ended with a neck-braced Arroyo being brought back to St. Lukes in Bonifacio Global City. Indeed, the government was caught off-guard at that precise moment, with the travel ban against the Arroyos suspended and no legal quickfix at hand save for filing a motion for reconsideration on SCs TRO. It merely relied on De Lima to carry on. President Aquino, meanwhile, stayed out of the publics eye during this crucial period, except on the exact day he flew to Bali for the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) summit. He merely ordered his Cabinet to prepare for any eventuality. On the morning of Nov. 18, three days after the DOJ aborted Arroyos trip abroad, the high court voted 85 during its special session to uphold its Nov. 15 TRO on the travel ban against Arroyo. Later in the afternoon, it would be found out that the justices actually voted six times on different matters. Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno clarified that the majoritys decision is that the TRO is suspended pending compliance with the condition stated in the earlier resolution. But this did not really matter when the game-changer entered into the scene. To the publics surprise, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) held an emergency en banc session. Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes even reportedly left the hospital to preside over the session hours ahead of the SC vote. One of the commissioners admitted that the possibility of Arroyo leaving the country forced them to rush the decision. Electoral sabotage raps, the governments very first case against Arroyo in more than 500 days, was readied and filed in lightning speed amid the looming SC decision. In a matter of hours, the Pasay City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest hot of the grill. The filing of case against Arroyo showed that justice system is still ruling in the country. When asked, what should be the stand of the government regarding this issue, all I can say is that they should be firm and strong. No 1

special treatment should be given to Arroyo. Although her detention set-up is somewhat a special treatment due to her illness, no other reason should hinder in uncovering the truth regarding the case. It is a good thing that De Lima stood firm with her decision on denying the travel of the Arroyos prior to the release of the warrant. If Arroyo will have further health concerns, they should be attended locally. The people are right when some suggested that the treatment can be done here, with the doctors and specialists going here in the country. Her transfer from St.Lukes Medical Center to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center goes to show that the plan that she be detained in a government facility is working well. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is now caught off guard regarding the electoral fraud cases filed against her. With this, we can only hope for the clean and smooth flow of the trials that will follow. And the government should see to it that the former president is still in good shape and condition. They should give her the best medical treatment she needed just to ensure that she will be able to face the charges against her. As North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said, the government should take into account the former presidents medical condition. I also would like to agree with her as she quoted, Justice delayed is justice denied. Let us respect and abide by all legal procedures. But in the spirit of reconciliation and humanitarian consideration, lets consider PGMAs present medical status. Let us put up a good fight against an opponent who is physically fit and can stand trial. Although the processing of the warrant of arrest seemed to be rushed, the government should see to it that evidences are carefully laid down for the case. As for the detention of Arroyo in VMMC, full blast of security must be given. She should be treated as a detainee and not as a special visitor. She should not just be seen roaming around the place. The PNP should be in full alert at all times. The fact that the detainee is sick doesnt make her less responsible of her misdeeds. The funny thing is that Arroyos camp even presented a plot that is said to be endangering the life of the former president. Of course, they are blaming the government for that alone. But come to think of it, who would want Arroyo dead? Of course, the answer is no one. Everybody wants her to answer for her misdeeds and the case filed against her is the start of the long road to justice of the Filipino people. And for those people claiming that the government is not treating Mrs. Arroyo humanely, well, the hospital arrest is better arrangement than nothing. As Lagman said, Pending final conviction, detention is not a punitive action but a custodial safeguard. Hospital and house arrests are accepted detention measures in lieu of prison confinement, particularly during the pre-trial and pre-conviction phases of criminal prosecution. The case has long way to go and for now, we can only hope for justice that will be uprooted from rationality and good discernment. Lets just hope that all will go well and Arroyo will be able to respond to trials even with her said health condition. And for the rest, let the history unfold itself to us.

References: http://www.propinoy.net/2011/11/22/protect-gloria-arroyo-at-all-cost/ . Accessed December 11, 2011. http://ph.news.yahoo.com/comelec-wants-gloria-arroyo-detained-govt-facility-142207115.html .Accessed December 11, 2011. http://balatucan.wordpress.com/. Accessed December 11, 2011. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=757246&publicationSubCategoryId=63. Accessed December 11, 2011.