Despite the “harrowing experience,” lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said the Arroyos will attempt anew to pass through airport gates today.
In an interview with ANC, lawyer he said the incident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 was a “bloody mess.”
“Never have I seen an arrogant display of executive power,” he said.
He noted that as the legal representative appointed by the Arroyos, he sought an audience with the highest immigration officer on duty on Tuesday night.
He said he was ushered to the office of a certain executive director Eric Dimaculangan. “I showed him certified true copies of the [temporary restraining order], the original receipts showing we have complied with the Supreme Court’s requirements.”
The official made some calls and later came out with his staff and an in-house counsel. “They told me they regretfully can’t allow the Arroyos to leave,” Topacio said.
He then asked the official for a legal basis, but the latter could not show a document or a written directive.
“Then later, they just disappeared,” Topacio said.
He added Arroyo spokesperson, Elena Bautista Horn, came to him rushing that immigration officials took the passports of the Arroyos.
“I raised my voice already. The passport is the property of the owner, you can’t deprive them of traveling,” he said.
