House arrest out of respect for a former president?

We would like to commend President Aquino for having the conviction and mustering the courage to lead the fight to stop corruption in the Philippines.  Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s actions and actuations from the time she decided to run for congresswoman have been suspect from the beginning.

The recent political developments are encouraging because we see concrete government action to safeguard the rule of law in the country.  Having government officials with strong political will and with the help of courageous men and women in media, we can rid our country of “elite criminals” in politics and business.

At this stage, we hope that the government will continue relentlessly in seeking justice for the Filipino electorate.   In this respect, should Arroyo be detained in the comfort of her luxury home simply because she was once the president of the Philippines?  And by what measure of “respect” does the country owe her a house arrest?  It will bring pain to many Filipinos if Arroyo were granted reprieve, furlough and special consideration as a former president, a title and position that did not even belong to her in the first place.

Following the course of law and logic, she does not deserve a house arrest.

—CECILE CASTRO,

cecilecastro86

@yahoo.com.ph