Witness: PCSO funds in GMA plunder case fully liquidated

MANILA, Philippines - A prosecution witness testified yesterday that Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds reportedly misused by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former PCSO officials had been fully liquidated.

Flerida Africa Jimenez, current chief of the Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (ICFAO) of the Commission on Audit (COA), told the Sandiganbayan that her predecessor, Nilda Plaras, issued credit advices for all liquidation reports in 2008, 2009, and 2010, which means that the audit agency found the reports regular and in order.

Her testimony covers the period when P366 million in PCSO confidential and intelligence funds were allegedly misused during the last three years of the Arroyo administration.

Jimenez was presented by the Office of the Ombudsman to testify on documents and COA auditing procedures relative to the plunder case.

Jimenez said a credit advice issued by the ICFAO head is usually final and binding unless it is questioned by any party within three years after it was issued.

She said she has no knowledge of anyone who questioned or sought a review of the credit advices issued for 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The camp of Arroyo, who is detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) due to the plunder case, said there is no evidence to show that she misused the funds.

Imelda pays a visit

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos brought flowers, a bottle of wine, and gift to boost the spirits of Arroyo when she visited her at the VMMC for nearly two hours yesterday.

Marcos arrived at the VMMC a few minutes past 3 p.m. and they talked at length about their respective congressional projects, families, and health for almost two hours, according to chiefs of staff of the two lawmakers.

Marcos also spoke of how her late husband, former President Ferdinand Marcos and Arroyo’s father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, were both in the opposition when they were still lawmakers.

“She (Arroyo) was in a good mood but not well,” Marcos told reporters after the meeting.