MikeLigalig.com

by PDI

In a dramatic airport showdown, President Benigno Aquino III’s government stopped  former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo from boarding a Hong Kong-bound plane and leaving the country Tuesday night, despite a Supreme Court order allowing her to seek medical treatment abroad.

The wheelchair-bound Arroyo, wearing a neck brace,  and her husband were supposed to take a Dragon Air flight leaving for Hong Kong at 8:50 p.m. but immigration officials barred them from taking the flight.

The Arroyos had also booked other flights, including Singapore Airlines, but immigration officials stopped them from getting on any of the planes.

Arroyo’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, said they would file contempt charges Wednesday against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and others who stopped the Arroyos from leaving.

Asked if the decision of the Bureau of Immigration to stop the Arroyos from leaving despite a high court order giving the Arroyos the green light amounted to a contemptuous act, Supreme Court spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez said:  “Yes, it is, but we still have to look at the facts.”

Prior to the Arroyos’ arrival at the airport,  Lina Pelia, chief of the Bureau of Immigration’s airport operations center, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that she would heed De Lima’s order to stop the Arroyos from leaving.

Miriam on NAIA standoff: I feel like slashing my wrists

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/16/2011 4:37 PM | Updated as of 11/16/2011 4:37 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The brouhaha caused by the standoff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday night has brought out the most colorful words from the parties involved.
Besides the “cut my ball off” statement from lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, another critic is having a different take on the matter.

In an interview with reporters, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said: “I feel grief-stricken and I feel like slashing my wrists.”

She is referring to the decision of the government to bar former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and husband Mike from leaving despite an order from the Supreme Court.

“That’s not what we were taught for four years in law school,” Santiago said, fuming.

She told defiant Justice Secretary Leila de Lima: “Follow the law even if you hate it.”

De Lima insists the SC has to resolve first their motion for reconsideration on the temporary restraining order. With a report from Ruby Tayag, radio dzMM


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

I'm kind of felt sorry for her.Seems like she became a hostage on her own country...What a shame!

Lawyer's balls 'at stake' upon Arroyo departure  

A lawyer vows he would have his balls cut if the Arroyos fail to return.

Amid speculations that former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Arroyo and her husband
won't return after seeking medical treatment abroad, their counsel Ferdinand Topacio is willing to put his balls at stake.

“Papatanggal ko yung isang itlog ko kapag hindi bumalik ang mga Arroyo.
I am confident they will return,” said Topacio in an interview with ANC Wednesday, as quoted in a tweet by ANCALERTS.

After expressing his overwhelming confidence to the Arroyos, the hashtag #itlognitopacio has gained popularity and
comments from Filipino netizens. It has become the top local trending topic in social networking site Twitter.

“Let GMA go as SC ordered. But pls guard Topacio's testes. National interest demands it. LOL,” Jim Paredes said on his Twitter account.

The singer-activist added, “I have heard of ppl giving an arm and a leg for a loved one. But a testicular offer for insurance is quite unique.”

Meanwhile, user Mam_Charo said, “If Topacio's willing to put his balls on line, ano'ng gusto nyong i-offer
ni Elena Bautista Horn? #DedeNiElena? LOL,” referring to Arroyo’s spokesperson.

But in an interview with radio dzBB, Horn said she is willing to go behind bars, with her kids in tow, should the couple refuses to return to the Philippines.

Aside from betting his “ball,” Topacio revealed that the Arroyos will still attempt to leave the country after the Department
of Justice prevented the couple to travel despite Supreme Court’s ruling.

“Hindi na kailangang maghintay at talagang agaran ang pangangailangan ni Arroyo,” the lawyer replied when asked
why the former president is so in a rush to leave.

Arroyo’s legal counsel further appealed to those who oppose to respect the high court’s decision.
By Shielo Mendoza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Quote from: statesville on November 17, 2011, 09:45:55 AM
“Papatanggal ko yung isang itlog ko kapag hindi bumalik ang mga Arroyo.

Hmm, tulo tingali kabuok ang itlog sa kanahan...