Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — After almost four years, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was released from hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Thursday.
The Sandiganbayan directed officers from Philippine National Police and hospital authorities to release Arroyo after receiving a copy of Tuesday’s Supreme Court (SC) decision dismissing the plunder case against the former President for lack of evidence.
Security remained tight around VMMC as Arroyo’s supporters, led by the Kongreso ng Maralitang Pilipino, flocked to the area to hail the case dismissal and welcome her release.
The group wants former President Benigno Aquino III jailed for the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), a controversial government spending scheme
SC Spokesperson Theodore Te told CNN Philippines the losing side may still file a motion for reconsideration. However, he said the release of Arroyo “perhaps cannot be reconsidered … because it will take effect by the express terms of the order immediately.”
