Philippines Bars Former President from Traveling Overseas

Posted August 9th, 2011 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
Leave a comment

The Philippines government has placed former President Gloria Arroyo on a watch list barring her from traveling abroad while she is being investigated on charges of corruption.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the immigration department to place Ms. Arroyo on the watch list for 60 days. Persons on the list are barred from travelling abroad without permission.

Last week, her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, was placed on a similar list after he was named in a scandal involving the sale of helicopters to the Philippine police.

Ms. Arroyo, who is now a member of Congress, is being investigated on three separate charges of misusing government funds during her time as president.

She is also being investigated on allegations that she rigged the 2004 presidential election.

Ms. Arroyo has consistently denied any illegal activities during her 2001-2010 presidency.