Fraud charges for ex-Philippine president

FORMER Philippine president Gloria Arroyo was arrested in her hospital room on electoral fraud charges yesterday in a high-profile tug-of-war set off by her attempts to leave the country, ostensibly for medical treatment.

Arroyo became the second ex-Philippine president to face trial after her ousted predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was sentenced to life in prison for corruption and later pardoned by her.

She denies any wrongdoing and accused the government of political persecution when it prevented her leaving for overseas treatment of a bone ailment on Tuesday.

Her lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said the government of president Benigno Aquino III had filed fabricated charges with “indecent haste”.

The supreme court had upheld her right to travel, but a lower court, where the formal charges were filed, later issued an arrest warrant.

Justice secretary Leila de Lima said Arroyo, 64, will remain confined to her hospital room.