Arroyo’s PCSO plunder case hearing canceled
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan first division hearing over the plunder case of former president Gloria Arroyo was canceled on Wednesday after the defense said it would file a motion to junk the evidence.
The counsels of Arroyo and the accused in the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds agreed to file a motion for leave to file demurrer of evidence.
The defense said this is to dismiss the grounds set by the prosecution against Arroyo through their witnesses.
The defense said the prosecution still failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
The court canceled the hearing and set another to hear the defense’s motion on July 30.
The trial is set to resume on August 20.
The prosecution had presented 14 witnesses but none of them directly linked Arroyo to the illegal disbursement of funds.
Arroyo and former PCSO officials Rosario Uriarte, Chairman Sergio Valencia, Directors Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero, Fatima Valdes, Jose Taruc, Villar and Commisson on Audit official Nilda Plaras were charged of plunder for allegedly conspiring to divert for personal gain at least P366 million in intelligence funds for the PCSO from 2008 to 2010.
Valencia, Morato, Roquero, Taruc and Villar were all granted bail.
Valdes remains at large.
Villar, who was arrested, is waiting for the decision for his bail petition while Plaras was able to secure an injunction from the Supreme Court.
Arroyo and Aguas are under detention after their bail petitions were denied.
The former president and now Pampanga representative is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
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