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Arroyo not immune from suit: official
MANILA -- Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Wednesday that former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is メvery possibleモ to become a respondent of a truth commission.
In an ambush interview in Malacanang after the mass oath taking of all the Cabinet officials before President Benigno Aquino III, De Lima said Arroyo is no longer immune from any suit, which is a privilege given to a sitting president.
メVery possible, very probable to be a respondent because she (Arroyo) has really been accused of cases of corruption,モ the official said when asked if Arroyo would be among those that the truth commission will investigate.
Aquino created the commission that will probe alleged irregularities during the nine-and-a-half years of the Arroyo government.
The body will be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, who presided over the impeachment trial of Arroyoユs predecessor, Joseph Estrada.
メThe presidential immunity stops the moment a sitting president leaves his or her office according to the Constitution and the law,モ De Lima said.
She added that the former president has to answer all possible charges and メdue process will be followed.モCelerina Monte/DMS
