[h=3]Associated Press[/h]MANILA—The Philippine anti-graft court Thursday ordered the arrest of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the third corruption investigation that has been brought against her.
In Thursday's case, she is charged with misusing $8.8 million in state lottery funds during her last years in office. Arroyo's lawyers questioned the charges during oral arguments.
Ms. Arroyo, who is suffering from a neck ailment, spent about eight months in detention in a hospital on a separate election-sabotage charge before posting bail in July. She has also posted bail in a case stemming from a botched deal with a Chinese telecommunications company.
Ms. Arroyo has accused her successor, Benigno Aquino III, of pursuing a political vendetta against her. Mr. Aquino, who ran on a promise to rid the Philippines of corruption, has accused her of graft.
The government has denied Mr. Arroyo's request to seek medical treatment abroad, saying she might not return to face the charges.
Ms. Arroyo's lawyer Anacleto Diaz said Thursday the witnesses against her had no personal knowledge of the transactions of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The latest charges allege money from the agency's intelligence funds was diverted for personal gain from 2008 until Arroyo stepped down in 2010.
The charges against Ms. Arroyo and the others accused are punishable by life imprisonment and no bail is allowed.
Special Prosecutor Diosdado Calonge said the arrest warrant will be implemented unless it is recalled by the anti-graft court or stopped by the Supreme Court.
Ms. Arroyo, 65 years old, now a member of Congress representing her home province of Pampanga, is seeking re-election next year.
Both of the other cases continue, with witness testimony under way.
In Thursday's case, she is charged with misusing $8.8 million in state lottery funds during her last years in office. Arroyo's lawyers questioned the charges during oral arguments.
Ms. Arroyo, who is suffering from a neck ailment, spent about eight months in detention in a hospital on a separate election-sabotage charge before posting bail in July. She has also posted bail in a case stemming from a botched deal with a Chinese telecommunications company.
Ms. Arroyo has accused her successor, Benigno Aquino III, of pursuing a political vendetta against her. Mr. Aquino, who ran on a promise to rid the Philippines of corruption, has accused her of graft.
The government has denied Mr. Arroyo's request to seek medical treatment abroad, saying she might not return to face the charges.
Ms. Arroyo's lawyer Anacleto Diaz said Thursday the witnesses against her had no personal knowledge of the transactions of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The latest charges allege money from the agency's intelligence funds was diverted for personal gain from 2008 until Arroyo stepped down in 2010.
The charges against Ms. Arroyo and the others accused are punishable by life imprisonment and no bail is allowed.
Special Prosecutor Diosdado Calonge said the arrest warrant will be implemented unless it is recalled by the anti-graft court or stopped by the Supreme Court.
Ms. Arroyo, 65 years old, now a member of Congress representing her home province of Pampanga, is seeking re-election next year.
Both of the other cases continue, with witness testimony under way.