Former President Gloria Arroyo could gain temporary freedom through a recent decision by the Supreme Court on the case of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on August 20 that the High Court’s decision allowing Enrile to post bail could is a dangerous precedent, considering that he is charged with a non-bailable offense.

De Lima expressed concern over the High Court’s decision to allowtemporary liberty for the 91-year-old senator because of “humanitarian considerations.”

Voting 8-4, the magistrates said they considered Enrile’s poor health and advanced age in allowing him to post bail.

But De Lima said those currently detained over non-bailable offenses may use the same argument in seeking relief from the SC.

She cited the case of former president and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is currently detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center over a P366-million plunder charge.

The former president is suffering from “multiple cervical spondylosis” or the wearing off of the bones.

De Lima said this could be used as an argument for the court to allow her to post bail.