Former Justice Sec Gonzalez pooh-poohs plunder raps against ex-President Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines—Former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales dismissed on Tuesday charges about the alleged plunder by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In an interview over 990 AM Radio, he declared that  “there was no plunder  even if the alleged misuse of government funds were proven.”

“I don’t think there is plunder here because there is no personal benefit. One ingredient of plunder is a personal benefit,” Gonzales rationalized.

Gonzales said the fund did not go directly to Arroyo’s pocket, so there was no plunder to speak of.

Gonzales made light of the filing of plunder charges against the former president, and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Rosario Uriarte. He said this was just part of strategy “to scare the daylights out of anybody”.

“Obviously, he (Bayan Muna Representative Neri Colmenares) is biased; he will do anything to paint a bad picture of Gloria,” Gonzales observed.