Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippine – Malacañang on Thursday said it respects the decision of the Ombudsman to dismiss the graft case filed against former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“We note the May 08, 2014 Resolution of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing the graft complaint against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. We respect the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body, which has the authority to decide on such cases filed before it,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales cleared Arroyo from involvement in the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, through a resolution signed on May 2.
“Criminal culpability cannot be imputed upon respondent [Arroyo] on the basis of the doctrine of qualified political agency…In this case, without proof that respondent actually authorized the acts complained of, she cannot be held liable for the illegal acts of her subordinates,” the resolution said.
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