San Fernando City, Pampanga (CNN Philippines)— Should he win the election, presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he is open to the possibility of releasing former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from detention.
During his visit to the regional assembly of the Friends of Rody Duterte in San Fernando City on Sunday (Fabruary 7), Duterte, who is also lawyer, said that the former president’s plunder case has “weak evidence”.
Duterte once worked as a consultant on public safety and order during Arroyo’s administration. He remarked that Arroyo’s trial has been going on for so long, citing that everyone has a right to a speedy trial.
Last year, Arroyo filed a petition to the Supreme Court contesting the denial of the Sandiganbayan on her motion for bail and demurrer of evidence.
According to Arroyo’s camp, her continued detention led to the deterioration of her health.
Also read: SC suspends Arroyo’s plunder trial for 90 more days
However, Duterte clarified that he will allow the court of law to continue Arroyo’s case even she is released from detention.
With 1.2 million registered voters based on the Commission on Election’s data, Pampanga is considered one of the provinces with highest number of voters.
