Hold departure order issued vs Arroyo couple

The anti-graft court issued Tuesday a hold departure order against the Arroyo couple in connection with the botched national broadband network (NBN) deal in 2007.

The Sandiganbayan’s fourth division issued Tuesday the 23-page order against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, former election chief Benjamin Abalos Sr. and former transportation secretary Leandro Mendoza.

The Office of the Ombudsman, which filed the graft case last week, included Arroyo in the charge sheet after she reportedly received “directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, or favor” so that the deal would push through. (more)