Akbayan to file P325-M plunder case vs Arroyo over PCSO funds

Members of the Akbayan party-list will file on Tuesday the fifth plunder case against former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo for the alleged misuse of P325-million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The case will be filed before the Office of the Ombudsman at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Akbayan party-list Rep. Arlene Bag-ao announced in a press conference on Monday. “Hinintay muna naming matapos ang Senate inquiry dahil maraming impormasyon na nareveal doon. Isa sa malaking pagkakamali na ginawa ng nakaraang administrasyon ay ang hindi pagliquidate ng intelligence funds as required by law," she said. Arroyo will also be charged with graft and malversation of funds, she added. Arroyo’s legal spokesperson, Raul Lambino, however, dismissed the planned plunder case against his client as a mere “publicity stunt." “Just like their patron in Malacanang, they resort to political propaganda over the media to advance their respective agendas by incessant shame campaign and vilification against Arroyo," Lambino said in a text message. What they can't prove in the impartial courts for lack of solid evidence to support their case, they resort to a trial and condemnation by publicity against her," he added. A Senate inquiry revealed earlier this month that Arroyo approved P325 million in intelligence funds for the PCSO from 2008 to 2010. Aside from Arroyo, ex-PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte, other members of the agency’s board, and former Commission on Audit chair Reynaldo Villar will also be charged with plunder, according to Bag-ao. Arroyo should go on leave Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello, meanwhile, called on the former President to take a leave of absence as Pampanga representative while plunder charges against her are being investigated. “We would like to forcefully request the former President to take a leave of absence and focus on cooperating with this investigation... This will also allow the House to focus fully on its business since her presence will be a distraction for the House," he said. Akbayan’s plunder case against Arroyo will be the fifth one lodged against the former President since she stepped down of office last year. Bayan Muna party-list Reps. Teodoro Casino and Neri Colmenares also filed earlier this month a plunder case against Arroyo before the Office of the Ombudsman for the alleged misuse of PCSO funds during her term. Three other plunder cases have been filed before the Department of Justice. The cases involve accusations of: