Asia-Pacific News
Philippine court upholds order allowing Arroyo to travel
Nov 18, 2011, 5:49 GMT
Manila - The Philippine Supreme Court on Friday ordered the justice department to stop blocking former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from leaving the country to seek medical treatment abroad.
In an emergency en banc session, which involves the participation of all its judges, the court rejected a government appeal and upheld a Tuesday order which cancelled a travel ban on Arroyo and her husband.
After the ruling on Tuesday, Arroyo and her husband tried to leave for Singapore but were barred by immigration officers on orders of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, whose department is investigating the couple on various charges.
The court on Friday directed de Lima to show 'why she should not be held in contempt of court and to comply with the order,' Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez said.
Earlier Friday, prosecutors brought formal charges against Arroyo, who has been under investigation for electoral fraud since August.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
