Palace willing to listen to Arroyo's side on alleged PCSO fund mess

Malacañang on Friday expressed interest in hearing former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s side on the supposed fund anomalies at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during her watch. "In the interest of fairness, gusto naman natin malaman, marinig lahat ng sides dito sa anomalyang ito," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said at a press briefing. However, she said the ball is now in the hands of the former president. "Nasa sa kanila naman po yun. Ayaw natin magdikta but sa dami po ng lumalabas na alegasyon, siguro they should use their better judgement kung ano yung magiging next step nila," she said. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda earlier said Malacañang would let the evidence speak for or against Mrs. Arroyo. "If it happens that there’s evidence that links the former President to the controversy, then let justice be done through the evidence," Lacierda said last Thursday. Violation of Charter? Meanwhile, Valte reiterated that donating sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to bishops was not a criminal offense but may be a violation of a Constitutional prohibition. At least P6.9 million in charity funds were used to buy vehicles upon the request of some bishops, according to the present PCSO administration. Such donations may have violated the 1987 Constitution. Article VI Section 29 (2) of the 1987 Constitution states that "No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium." Valte also rejected the call of Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz for the abolition of the PCSO and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation amid the controversy "Parang nagiging knee jerk reaction yan sa mga balita ngayon concerning those two agencies but sana 'wag kalimutan na ang tunay na mandate ng dalawang ahensya ay makatulong, makapagbigay ng medical assistance sa mga nangangailangan," she said "Siguro mas mabuti na magpatupad ng systemic reforms at tingnan kung gagana ang mga ito. Saka palang pag-usapan kung talaga bang kailangan ang naturang mga ahensya," she added. — LBG/RSJ, GMA News