Should we allow a Christmas furlough for ex-President Gloria Arroyo?

Ex-president Gloria Arroyo is reportedly sick to the bone, literally. Her scoliosis has worsened. Based on doctors' prognosis, Arroyo needs extra medical attention and rest. The Pampanga Congresswoman remains incarcerated at the Veteran's hospital.

Several Congressmen have signed a petition asking that the ex-President be given a "Christmas furlough." One member of the minority, Abakada partylist Jonathan dela Cruz even publicly called on the president to heed the requests of legislators.

Arroyo, if you remember, stands accused of toying with public funds, the same sins as that of Janet Lim-Napoles. She has new cases filed against her, which includes, misusing the Malampaya funds.

Some of her trusted generals, and that includes Leandro Mendoza, the former general and the one involved in the ZTE scam, left this world due to a lingering disease. Her other trusted men, and that includes her former agri secretary, are on the run. Politically, Arroyo is near death. It would be very hard for her to recover.

Dela Cruz asks for humanitarian and "Christian sympathy". I don't know. What do you think? Should we grant her request for her to be with her family this Christmas?

During her tumultuous nine year reign, Arroyo caused the incarceration of thousands of her political enemies, whose families also requested the same thing, but were ignored, and worse, disapproved.

Some political detainees who struggled against her reign, are still languishing in jail due to trumped up charges. They have been there in jail, deprived of the companionship of their families, and of the luxuries and comforts of being inside a hospital like Veteran's.

I'm not saying that this is what others called "karma".

GMA to plead not guilty today

Today, two days before the celebration of EDSA 1986, a former president will stand before the court of the land and plead her case. 


Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is slated to appear before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay in connection with criminal cases filed against her, among which are accusations of rigging the elections, among others. This vote rigging case is one among many cases charged against the former president.


Arroyo has been in jail since November, the very same time that she tried to get out of the country reportedly to get treatment from Singapore. Her allies tried to raise a howl when the administration prevented her from leaving the country, inspite of the TRO issued by the Supreme Court on the DOJ circular placing her under watchlist order.


Arroyo's health has since improved, according to her own allies. Inspite of this, Arroyo remains at the Veteran's Memorial Hospital. Groups are calling for her transfer to a regular jail cell at Pasay City.


Arraignment is the first stage in the trial of a case. If Gloria enters her plea, she then accepts the fact that the court has jurisdiction over her and her person.