Acting Ombudsman orders probe of Arroyo in fertilizer fund mess

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the conduct of an investigation on the involvement of former President, now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the fertilizer fund scam.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro reversed the earlier recommendation against Arroyo that there is lack of evidence to implicate her in the multi-billion scam.

“It is an elementary principle that a Secretary is an alter ego of the President…There is thus a need to conduct investigation as to the complicity or liability of the former President with respect to the allocation, release and expenditure of the Fertilizer funds,” Casimiro said.

The case was based on the plunder complaint filed by former Solicitor-General Francisco Chavez several years ago.