The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has allowed former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo and husband former First Gentleman Atty. Jose Miguel “Mike” T. Arroyo to travel to Europe for a medical consultation and vacation.
In a minute resolution signed by Chairman Jose Hernandez and Associate Justices Alex Quiroz and Geraldine Faith Econg, the anti-graft court ordered Mrs. Arroyo to post a P300,000 travel bond and P90,000 travel bond for Mr. Arroyo.
“Acting on accused Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s motion to travel abroad, and after considering the prosecution’s comment/opposition thereto, the court resolves to grant said accused permission to travel to Munich, Germany; Paris, France; and Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China,” the Sandiganbayan said.
The Sandiganbayan also ordered the Arroyos to appear before the court five days after their arrival. It added that they are not allowed to travel exceeding their requested dates and should comply with the itinerary they submitted to the anti-graft court.
“Any violation of the terms and conditions contained in this resolution shall be sufficient ground for this court to order the forfeiture of travel bond, as well as to cause the issuance of a warrant for her arrest,” the Sandiganbayan said. (Evelyn Quiroz and Czarina Nicole O. Ong)