The Philippines ex-leader was arrested on her hospital bed in the capital Manila, accused of cheating to win a seat in the Senate for one of her supporters during the 2007 election.
Arroyo has been fighting a legal battle to be allowed to leave the country to receive medical treatment.
She denies any wrongdoing and her lawyer says the charges are fabricated.
A Philippine court had issued an arrest warrant after the Election Commission filed charges against her.