Morato arraignment for plunder deferred anew

FORMER PCSO chair Manuel “Manoling” Morato. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan again deferred the arraignment for plunder of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Manoling Morato.

Morato is one of the co-accused, along with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in the alleged P366 million PCSO intelligence fund scam.

During Thursday’s hearing, Morato’s lawyer said they have filed a petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court and asked that it issue a temporary restraining order on the Sandiganbayan proceedings.

Morato also appeared before the court on a wheelchair and face mask.

The anti-graft court rescheduled the arraignment on December 3.

Morato also asked the court that he be allowed to pass by his house Thursday but the court denied the request.

Morato was supposed to be arraigned last October but was deferred after he was taken to the hospital.

Morato was allowed by the Sandiganbayan to be under hospital arrest at St. Lukes Hospital in Quezon City under the supervision of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The anti-graft court granted Morato’s motion last month after he submitted a medical certificate from his attending physician Dr. Maria Adelaide Iboleon-Dy.

Based on the Medical Certificate dated October 25, Morato underwent an open heart surgery, triple bypass with aortic valve replacement with a prosthetic valve on October 22.