SUPPORTERS of former president and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga have asked the Supreme Court (SC) to halt the looming plunder trial against her at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged misuse of P365.9-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s intelligence funds.

In a seven-page petition filed by lawyer Vinalyn Potot-Baluran, petitioners Rico Ocampo, Eugene Paul Ponio, Marcelo Valencia and Joaquin Manalac sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the trial against the former chief executive.

The petitioners, voters from second district of Pampanga which Arroyo represents, said the TRO would restrain the first division of the anti-graft court and the office of the Ombudsman from proceeding with the trial.

They argue that Arroyo’s constituents would be deprived of due representation in the House of Representatives if the trial pushes through.

“The intervenors have a right to be represented in the House of Representatives through petitioner Arroyo, and if indeed the evidence against her is weak or without any basis, then her petition questioning the filing of the plunder case against her for the alleged misuse of confidential/intelligence fund of the [PCSO] should be immediately resolved and granted so that she could devote her time to serving her constituents in her district,” the petition read.

The petitioners claimed that “they stand to benefit or be prejudiced with respect to the outcome of the case at hand because it is our representation to the [Congress] that is unduly affected in this case.”

“The intervenors humbly submit that they have as much interest in this case because of the issue of undue deprivation of representation as guaranteed under the law,” they pointed out.

They said Mrs. Arroyo was deprived of due process when the anti-graft court ordered her arrest last October 4, a day before a hearing was set on her motion questioning the Ombudsman’s finding of probable cause against her indictment which stems from the complaint filed by complainants Jaime Regalario, Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel and Danilo Lim.