SC dismisses bid to hold Aquino, Soliman, Abad liable for plunder

MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition to hold President Benigno Aquino III, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad liable for plunder.

At a press conference, high court’s Information Chief Theodore Te said the one-page petition filed by a certain Romeo C. Bayogos has been dismissed for lack of form and substance.

“The petition was also dismissed because the Court has no jurisdiction to determine the liability of the respondents without a prior appropriate proceeding,” Te said.

In his petition, Bayogos wants the high court to hold the three liable for plunder over the alleged misuse of the Malampaya funds and distribution of pork barrel funds despite the Court’s ruling that such funds are illegal.

Bayagos also said that there was no evidence that the conditional cash transfer has reached beneficiaries.