News Update Spokesperson: Palace ready to face Arroyo's legal eagles in court

With former President Gloria Arroyo now under arrest for poll fraud, Malacañang on Saturday said it is ready for the next stage of her case: the battle in court. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Office of the Solicitor General will “do its best" even against Arroyo’s so-called legal eagles. “Our Office of the Solicitor General will certainly do its best in the cases it represents the government on," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Earlier reports indicated Arroyo’s lawyers include former Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza and Jose Flaminiano, who are highly regarded in legal circles. Valte also said what the government can do is to make sure there will be no delay on the part of the prosecution in the case against the former leader. “On the part of the government we (are) making sure [that] (in) this case, we’ll do everything we can... [with] no delay on the part of prosecution," she said. As for Pasay City judge Jesus Mupas, Valte said the government has faith he will do his work properly. Valte also downplayed earlier reports indicating Mupas had been administratively sanctioned for the way he handled a particular case. The Supreme Court’s records showed Mupas was fined P10,000 in 2008 for undue delay in rendering an order, and given a stern warning that “a repetition of the same or similar act in the future shall be dealt with more severely." “We can always hope he learned his lesson after that particular sanction," Valte said. Mike arroyo case Meanwhile, Valte said the Palace is leaving to the Department of Justice how to deal with Mrs. Arroyo’s husband, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. She noted the former First Gentleman has a pending case stemming from the P104.9-million sale of secondhand helicopters to the Philippine National Police in 2009. But she admitted the administration is also careful in handling the case against Mr. Arroyo as it does not want to be perceived as railroading the former First Couple's cases. “Sincerely we want to avoid any conception this [Mrs. Arroyo's case] is being railroaded. You’ve seen all the reactions and comments from the Arroyo camp that this is railroaded. We want to avoid any perception of that [sort]," she said. “The of the investigation has already been filed, it has to undergo a certain process. We will see what will happen. But I reiterate we will refer to the secretary of justice," she added. — LBG