It was just a few days ago that Arroyo tried to leave the Philippines in order to receive ‘medical treatment’.

Former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has been arrested on charges of election fraud.

Mrs Arroyo was arrested on her hospital bed in the capital Manila, accused of cheating to win a seat in the Senate for one of her supporters during the 2007 election.

Mrs Arroyo has been fighting a legal battle to be allowed to leave the country to receive medical treatment.

She denies any wrongdoing and her lawyer says the charges are fabricated.

Ferdinand Topacio said the government had filed charges with “indecent haste” in what he called an “emerging pattern of persecution”.

A Philippine court had issued an arrest warrant after the Election Commission filed charges against her.

‘Truth to prevail’

For months, speculation has swirled that Mrs Arroyo was about to be charged – either with vote fraud or with embezzlement.

With the threat of charges hanging over her, the government put her on a watch-list of people who have to ask for permission to leave the country.

She launched a legal bid arguing that the travel ban infringed her constitutional right to be regarded as innocent until proven guilty.

Twice this week the Supreme Court, which is dominated by her appointees, has ruled in her favour.- BBC

It will be those same appointees who more than likely would rule on any appeal if Arroyo is found guilty of corruption charges. My Philippine born born wife believes Arroyo is a crook and that her recent medical problems are either fake or an exaggeration. I tend to agree with her but at the same time believe Arroyo will never spend time in jail. The Marcoses and that dumb looking monkey clown Joseph Estrada were immensely corrupt but were able to avoid any significant punishment for what they had done. Arroyo will likely end up the same.