Ex-Philippine President Arrested in Hospital, Again

It's third indictment in two years for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 4, 2012 8:23 AM CDT
Ex-Philippine President Arrested in Hospital, Again
In this Feb. 23, 2012 file photo, former Philippine President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrives at a Pasay City Court for her arraignment on electoral fraud charges in Manila.   (Bullit Marquez)

In what's getting to be a habit, ex-Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was arrested in a hospital room today. It's the second time that's happened, and her third indictment since stepping down two years ago, the AP reports. This time, Arroyo was being treated for dehydration at a government-run hospital when police arrived and temporarily detained her on corruption charges. She allegedly misused $8.8 million in state lottery funds.

Arroyo, who also suffers from a neck ailment, will remain in the hospital overnight, after which a court will decide whether she should continue being detained there, or go to jail. The case is unrelated to Arroyo's last arrest, which was for alleged election rigging. She was detained in the hospital for eight months in that case before posting bail. She's involved in yet another case related to an overpriced deal with a Chinese telecom company. But she chalks all the charges up to a political vendetta she says her successor has against her. (More Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stories.)

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