Palace mum on case filed by int’l rights lawyer for former President Arroyo

Outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with President-Elect Benigno Aquino III in 2010. (Dondi Tawatao / Getty Images)

MANILA — Malacanang on Monday declined to comment on a case filed by international human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin-Clooney before the United Nations (UN) questioning the continued detention of former President and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said they have not received a formal notice on the said case.

”Government will respond accordingly, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), once we shall have received the requisite notice,” he said.

The case filed by Alamuddin-Clooney, a prominent lawyer who specializes in international law, criminal law, human rights and extradition cases and is the wife of Hollywood actor George Clooney, before UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) is questioning Arroyo’s continued detention despite her age and health condition.

Reports quoting one of Arroyo’s lawyer said Alamuddin-Clooney found a strong reason to file the case before UNWGAD because of the government’s continued denial for Arroyo to post bail.

Arroyo, who is receiving treatment for a spine disease, is currently in hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.

She is facing plunder charges for her alleged involvement in the misuse of Php 366-million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during her term.