MANILA, (Reuters) – The Philippines government has placed former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on a travel watch list to prevent her from evading investigations into allegations of plunder and election fraud during her nine years in office.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the immigration bureau to put Arroyo, who is now a lawmaker in the lower house of Congress, on the watch list for 60 days and ensure her participation in criminal investigations.
The Department of Justice is investigating three plunder complaints over the misuse of public funds by Arroyo. There will also be an inquiry into allegations that Arroyo rigged the 2004 presidential election.
Last week, Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, was put on the watch list after he had left for Hong Kong for a medical check-up. He returned on Monday, protesting the government’s move because he is not facing any criminal case in court.
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