Ex-Philippine president Arroyo arrested in plunder case

MANILA (AP) - Police arrested former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday and temporarily detained her in a hospital on corruption charges, in her third indictment and second detention since stepping down two years ago.

The Philippine anti-graft court ordered her arrest for allegedly misusing US$8.8 million (S$10.8 million) in state lottery funds during her last years in office.

Police served the arrest warrant on Mrs Arroyo, who is suffering from a neck ailment, at government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Centre, where she was earlier admitted for dehydration, Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said.

He said Mrs Arroyo would remain in the hospital overnight and police will await a court order on whether she should remain detained at the hospital, in a regular jail or in another government facility.