SC extends halt of plunder trial vs. ex-President Arroyo

Former president, now Pampanga Representative, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) has extended its order stopping the trial before the Sandiganbayan First Division of the case of plunder against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In an En Banc resolution dated March 8, 2016, the High Court extended for another 60 days the “status quo order” it issued on Oct. 20, 2015.

This was the second time that the SC extended the “status quo ante order” that stopped the trial at the Sandiganbayan of the Php 366-million anomaly involving the confidential intelligence fund (CIF) of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The new status quo ante order will last until April 20, 2016.

It was learned that the camp of Mrs. Arroyo, through her legal counsel Atty. Estelito Mendoza, asked for the extension of the stoppage of the trial of the case of plunder of the former president.

Mrs. Arroyo is currently under “hospital arrest” at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) due to her debilitating bone disease.