Arroyo allowed to file motion to junk plunder rap over PCSO fund misuse

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan allowed former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to file a motion to junk the evidence against her for plunder over the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

The court effectively granted the Arroyo camp’s request to file a demurrer of evidence.

Arroyo’s lawyer Jose Flaminiano said once the demurrer was granted, the case would be dismissed.

The counsels for Arroyo and the accused in the alleged PCSO fund mess have agreed to file a motion for leave to file demurrer of evidence.

The defense said this would be 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 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 with 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.

Arroyo is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.
 

RELATED STORIES
 
Sandiganbayan rejects Arroyo’s request to post bail 
 
Sandiganbayan 1st division will try Arroyo’s PCSO plunder case