DOJ summons Arroyo over plunder complaint

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a subpoena to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the plunder complaint filed against her by former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez. The Arroyo camp, through spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn, refused to give comment since they have yet to see a copy of the subpoena, according to a report on GMA News’ “24 Oras" on Thursday night. Chavez filed last month a plunder complaint against Arroyo and three other officials for allegedly misusing P530 million worth of funds from the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA).

The DOJ also summoned former Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, former Health Secretary and current Civil Service Commission chair Francisco Duque III, and former OWWA administrator Virgilio Angelo, the report said. The officials were accused of violating Republic Act 7080 (Plunder Law) for allegedly diverting funds from OWWA to Arroyo’s campaign kitty in the 2004 national elections. The Chavez complaint is the second plunder charge filed at the DOJ after Arroyo stepped down from the presidency in June last year. The first was filed by private citizen Danilo Lihaylihay in August 2010 in connection with the allegedly anomalous sale of the old Iloilo airport. — Jesse Edep/KBK, GMA News