Last PCSO plunder case vs GMA junked

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed the last plunder complaint filed against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office over the alleged misuse of the PCSO’s intelligence funds.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Lucielo Ramirez Jr. recommended the junking of the charges of plunder, malversation of public funds and graft against Arroyo for lack of evidence. 

Ombudsman Samuel Martires signed and approved the decision in September, which was received by Arroyo’s lawyers recently.

The anti-graft agency said there was not enough evidence to prove that Arroyo and the former PCSO officials misappropriated P73 million in public funds from 2004 to 2007.

Records showed that the plunder complaint was belatedly filed in 2016 by the Field Investigation Office under then ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

At the time, the Supreme Court acquitted Arroyo and her co-defendants in a separate plunder charge for the period 2008 to 2010.

Also cleared were former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte, chairman Sergio Valencia, manager Benigno Aguas, releasing officer Gloria Araullo, former Commission on Audit assistant commissioner Lorna Dimapilis and COA auditor Nilda Plaras.

Laurence Arroyo, lawyer for the former president, welcomed the dismissal of the charges.