Mike Arroyo deleted from DOJ watchlist

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 22, 2011) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has lifted the watchlist order issued against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and several others, who were all cleared from electoral sabotage cases based on alleged massive cheating in the 2007 mid-term elections.

Also removed from the immigration watchlist were former Justice secretary Alberto Agra, former presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, Bong Serrano, Andrei Bong Tagum, Jeremy Javier, and a certain Butch.

In the Nov. 11, 2011 order signed by Chief State Council Ricardo Paraz, it was cited that the watchlist orders issued against Mr. Arroyo and the others were lifted as they ahve been cleared from the charges of violation of the Omnibus Election Code and electoral sabotage.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) filed on Friday electoral sabotage cases against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and two others -- former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol -- before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

The case was immediately raffled to Judge Jesus Mupas of Branch 112, who subsequently issued the arrest warrant against Mrs. Arroyo. The warrant was served to the former president on the same day at the St. Luke's Medical Center.

The Arroyo camp has several pending motions before the Supreme Court regarding the watchlist order issued by the DOJ and the electoral sabotage filed by the Comelec.

The charges were filed against Mrs. Arroyo and the others based on recommendations by the joint panel of the DOJ and the Comelec, which was formed to investigate alleged massive cheating in the 2004 and 2007 elections. (From Philstar.com)