The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday maintained its decision in issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the watchlist order on the Arroyo couple.
At the same time, SC has ordered Department of Justice Leila de Lima to explain why she did not heed the TRO issued by the high court Wednesday.
High court spokesman Midas Marquez said SC has denied the solicitor general's motion for reconsideration on the TRO, effectively allowing former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel to leave the country.
"I'm calling on executive officials, the court has already, in effect, reiterated its TRO. I hope this TRO will be respected and complied with," Marquez said.
SC also asks lawyer Ferdinand Topacio to submit supplemental compliance showing his authority to receive court summons.
Marquez noted that SC also dismissed a motion to move the oral arguments, and the original schedule stays.
He added that the electoral sabotage case filed by the Commission on Election before the Pasay RTC is altogether a different case.
Contempt vs. De Lima
Marquez said De Lima should explain herself within the "non-extendable" period of 10 days on her refusal to acknowledge the TRO.
It was De Lima who ordered the Bureau of Immigration not to allow the Arroyos to fly to Singapore Wednesday.
"DoJ Sec. Leila de Lima is directed to show cause and comply within non-extendable period of 10 days why she should not be held in contempt of court," Marquez said.
He said De Lima should also explain her "disrespect to Supreme Court."
If proven guilty, De Lima may face a fine of not more than P30,000 or an imprisonment of a maximum of six months, or both.
Arroyo departure
On Thursday, the Arroyos dropped their plans to fly to Singapore to seek medical treatment due to health problems. Reports say the couple are flying out Friday night.
Lawyer Raul Lambino said in a separate television interview that Arroyo is now taking dozens of tablets a day.
"She's taking up more than 25 tablets everyday, some injectables. You can see the kind of situation she's now in, sana ay matignan kung ano talaga ang mabuti para sa kaniyang kalusugan," he said.
