Gloria Macapagal Arroyo - Guilty of Poll Sabotage? She's Not!
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo leaves the Pasay City court (Photo by Erik De Castro, Reuters)... at least according to her.
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who arrived at the Pasay RTC wearing an off-white, long-sleeved dress and a neck brace, entered a not guilty plea to electoral sabotage charges when she faced a Pasay City court for her arraignment on Thursday, February 23.
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, who accompanied Mrs. Arroyo to the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 112 together with her husband, former FG Jose Miguel and her sons, Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado and Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel, said the former President “very firmly” denied the charges lodged against her before the court.
Mrs. Arroyo, in a statement sent to the media after her arraignment, said she chose to face the court, presided by Judge Jesus Mupas, to show that she respects the judicial process.
“Despite the continuous and massive vilification campaign against me and my family, I have always said that I will dispute all charges in the proper forum. I am submitting myself to this process not only to clear my name but also as part of my commitment to respect and abide by the rules and orders of our courts,” said Mrs. Arroyo, who now represents Pampanga's second legislative district in the House of Representatives.
She added that she hopes that “our leaders uphold and our people have faith in the constitution and the rule of law.”
The former President is being accused of ordering the rigging of the 2007 polls in favor of candidates running under the administration party.
- Source
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