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Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) vs. People of the Philippines [DISSENTING OPINION, LEONEN, J]

G.R. No. 220598 GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, Petitioner versus PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE SANDIGANBAYAN (First Division), Respondents G.R. No. 220953 BENIGNO B. AGUAS, Petitioner, versus, SANDIGANBAYAN (First Division), Respondent.

G.R. No. 220598 and G.R. No. 220953 | 2016-07-19

DISSENTING OPINION

LEONEN, J:

With respect, I dissent.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was a highly intelligent President who knew what she was doing. Having had an extraordinary term of nine (9) years as President of the Philippines, she had the experience to make her wise to many, if not all, of the schemes perpetrated within the government bureaucracy that allowed the pilferage of public coffers especially if these were repeated acts in ever-increasing amounts reaching millions of pesos. As President, it was her duty to stop—not abet or participate—in such schemes.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as a highly intelligent and experienced...