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The Sandiganbayan has barred former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband and two of her former officials from leaving the country.

But the antigraft court also deferred the possible issuance of warrants for their arrest in connection with cases stemming from the controversial National Broadband Network deal (NBN) with China’s ZTE Corp.

Asked to comment, President Benigno Aquino III’s spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang considered the hold-departure order on Arroyo et al. a “further step toward the successful prosecution of justice.” - By Leila B. Salaverria, Philippine Daily Inquirer