Aquino immune from lawsuit – Palace

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 11 years ago

President Benigno S. Aquino III talks with Secretary Herminio B. Coloma Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Tuesday reminded its critics that President Benigno Aquino III may not be brought to court while he is in power.

“The President is immune from suit while in office,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma merely said when asked about the plunder case filed against Aquino by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and other groups.

KMP in January filed a plunder case against Aquino, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Agriculture Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes for the alleged misuse of the Malampaya Gas Funds. The group claimed that P125 million from the fund was channelled to non-government organizations linked to Janet Lim-Napoles.

Without commenting on the charges, Coloma said, “Secretary Abad and Secretary Alcala are capable of answering the allegations against them.”