Miriam: Arroyo can apply for bail
MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago believes former President Gloria Arroyo may still post bail and forego arrest if the evidence is not strong enough to prove she is guilty of electoral sabotage.
The senator said that even before discussing where to detain Arroyo, the regional trial court (RTC) judge should first decide whether or not she can post bail.
Santiago, a former RTC judge, explained that although electoral sabotage is commonly described as a non-bailable offense, a judge may allow an accused to post bail if the evidence of guilt is not strong.
"The burden of proof is for the prosecution to prove the evidence of guilt is strong," she told reporters on Monday. "I think this should take precedence over the debate on her arrest."
Santiago said the evidence is not yet strong enough to prove Arroyo masterminded fraud in the elections.
Should the court refuse let Arroyo post bail, however, the senator believes she must be placed under house arrest, considering her medical condition and that a former president, Joseph Estrada, was given the same treatment.
She added that world figures like Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, Aung Saan Suu Kyi, and Chile's former president, Augusto Pinochet, have been granted the same privilege.
Comelec to oppose bail petition
Poll chief Sixto Brillantes Jr., meanwhile, concurred with Santiago's opinion but said the Commission on Elections is ready to file opposition in case Arroyo's camp files petition for bail.
"Lahat naman ng non-bailable offenses, pwede ka mag-petisyon para mag-bail...pero you need strong grounds," he said.
Brillantes said the former president should first file a counter-affidavit to the electoral sabotage charges filed against her.
"Wala naman siya sina-submit na counter-affidavit. Kakampi lang niya ay affidavit from Andal Ampatuan (Sr.). Credibility wise, between Ampatuan and Nori Unas...ewan ko na lang kung sino paniniwalaan natin," he said.
The Comelec chief said he wants to talk to Sen. Ping Lacson about possible new witnesses. He said new witnesses are surfacing but they want to be subtle about it and will only reveal them after the witnesses have executed their affidavits.
No to house arrest
Brillantes earlier said he will also oppose any attempt by the former president to be placed under house arrest.
He said the government must have complete jurisdiction over the facility where Mrs. Arroyo would be detained.
He added the Comelec will only agree to a house arrest if Arroyo will fully surrender control of her residence to authorities.
The Comelec is also against allowing the former chief executive to stay in a private hospital.
He cited the experience of law enforces at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig where they had to abide by the rules of the private hospital. With reports from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News; and ANC
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"Sen. Miriam
"Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago believes former President Gloria Arroyo may still post bail and forego arrest if the evidence is not strong enough to prove she is guilty of electoral sabotage".
Anong mali dyan? Tama naman si Sen. Santiago. Ang sabi nya IF, na intindihan nyo? Sa mga bumabatikos ni Sen. Santiago mag-isip nga kayo, kakatawa kayo, mas magaling pa kayo kay Sen. Santiago.
Pinapairal nyo kasi ang emotion hindi utak kaya nagmukha kayong abnoy.
HMM
ANYBODY CAN POST BAIL MADAM MIRIAM
AS LONG AS THE PERSON OR PARTIES INVOLVE HAS STRONG BASIS
WHY DONT U COMPLETE YOUR OPINION REGARDING THAT
YOU JUST HERE TO BE "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"?
On life . . .
my apology moderators, just want everybody here happy and relax. Go on with your daily lives people and think nothing but a wholesome activities like surfing, paragliding, mountain climbing and the last but not the least, and of course the most dangerous sport of them all, diving. Don't think so much about the arroyo case, nothing will come of it in the end anyway, so, why bother and have aggravation that you couldn't control. Have a nice day ahead of you people! just relax!
On defensor . . .
Somehow, age takes its toll on the human brain. The more a person gets older, their brain functions such as reasoning begin to fail, and then, the rest is history. This woman used to be very smart when she was a professor at the up law school in diliman, which is pretty good in the standard of an average law professor. And then, almost in an instant, brain activity begin to received bad messages from synapses that connects it. Nightmares are almost a constant activity during the night, and then wham! the following morning she was transformed into something like an "irritable monster" and her face begin to transform itself like "miss piggy" on the muppet show. Just kidding. I am pretty sure she is still okay. is she really?
On defensor . . .
Someone has to slap this woman with the congressional code of ethics book. Maybe she'll wake up to her own daydreaming. she is not supposed to recommend, incite and or give legal advice to anyone already under investigation by the doj period. Any members of congress has to distance themselves to this case cause all statements they would make now or in the course of this case will eventually backfire on their face.
YES
YES I AGREE WITH 100%
EH ANONG MAGAGAWA MO KUNG WALA SIYA NIYAN
MARAMING MAMBABATAS SA CONGRESIO AY DI SIYA PINAPANSIN
KAYA MADAKDAK PARA MAPANSIN
ITS SIDE EFFECT OF HER FRUSTRATION FOR NOT GETTING THE APPOINTMENT SA INTERNATIONAL SEAT WHICH SHE TRIED FOR NO AVAIL NGAYON TRYING AGAIN WITH SC CORONA INDORSEMENT
KAYA MADAM MIRIAM DEFENSOR IS SENDING FEELERS
HER INDIRECT WAY OF SAYING SHE IS ARROYO'S ALLY
On defensor . . .
And now, defensor is giving her a "hint" that she could apply for a bail. Defensor should be held in contempt by the senate investigative committee for not distancing herself to this case and or giving arroyo an open "legal advice" as to what she should be doing. What a character! a real "flake" herself. She should be the one to go to jail for doing so. I don't think she know the implications of her statement. Apply for a bail my foot! It is already clear that the tort she committed is "non bailable offense".
On arroyo's arrest
Where the hell do they want her to stay then? I wasn't about to say anything on this issue but, i think i have heard enough. First off, arroyo hasn't been prosecuted and find guilty by the court, there hasn't been any court litigation in progress as we speak. So, technically,she is supposed to go on her own life with out any undue harassment from any one from the court or from the doj. All these things that the prosecutors were doing right now was to lose their credibility in the eyes of the law that they were suppose to upheld. Tell me that it wasn't so, that most people from the prosecutors were just as "dumbfounded" on this case.
SC walang credibility
SC natin, sirang sira na. Basahin niyo araw-araw yung mga comment sa internet, halos 90%, tinitira ang SC. Bakit? Eh tingnan niyo naman kung mag trabaho at mag decision ang SC, "KUNG HINDI MABAGAL, MALI-MALI. Kawawa talaga ang taong bayan kay CJ CORONA. He is serving the interest of the ARROYOs, not the interest of the nation.
MIRIAM IS SICK
Miriam is sick, not only physically, but mentally. So pasensiyahan niyo na ang mga pinagsasabi niya, kasi di niya alam ang sinasabi niya. Tuta din ni GMA yan, di lang nagpapahalata. Corrupt din yan, kayalang malinis mag trabaho.