Philippines charges Gloria Arroyo with corruption [View All]

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Source: AP

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the former Philippine president, has been charged with electoral fraud after the government rushed to court to prevent her leaving the country.

The formal charges, which carry a penalty of 40 years' jail, were filed by the electoral commission at the Pasay regional trial court in Manila, a court official told the Associated Press.

Judge Jesus Mupas would decide whether to issue an arrest warrant, said the commission chairman, Sixto Brillantes, who asked for a court order barring Arroyo from travel.

Arroyo on Tuesday tried to leave the country with her husband, saying she was seeking medical treatment abroad for a bone ailment. She was stopped at the Manila airport.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/18/philippines-asia-pacific