Sandigan denies Arroyo move to junk evidence in PCSO plunder case

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Sandiganbayan denied a move by former-President and now-Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to junk the evidence against her in the plunder case over the alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

The court effectively denied Arroyo camp’s demurrer to evidence.

Arroyo had resorted to a demurrer to evidence in an effort to have the plunder case against her dismissed.

A demurrer seeks to dismiss the grounds set by the prosecution against an accused.

Arroyo’s lawyers had said the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution has presented 14 witnesses but none of them has directly linked Arroyo to the illegal disbursement of funds, the defense said.

Earlier, the court also denied the demurrer to evidence sought by PCSO budget officer Benigno Aguas, who is charged with plunder; and PCSO former chair Sergio Valencia, who is charged with malversation.

Arroyo and Aguas remain in detention because plunder is a non-bailable offense.

Arroyo is under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, while Aguas is at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center.

The court meanwhile granted the demurrer and eventually dismissed the plunder charges against PCSO board members Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero, Jose Taruc and former Commission on Audit chair Reynaldo Villar.

They 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.