Senator laments court’s acquittal of Gloria Arroyo

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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision acquitting former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the P 366-million plunder case the senator filed in 2011 together with two other co-petitioners.

Upon hearing the court's decision, Hontiverso said, "It's a sad day for justice."

Voting 11-4, the high court acquitted Mrs. Arroyo of the plunder case against her due to “insufficiency of evidence.”

Also acquitted was her co-accused former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) budget and accounts manager Benigno Aguas.

Arroyo is expected to walk free this Wednesday, after four years of hospital arrest.

In 2011, Hontiveros, along with former Brigadier General Danilo Lim and social activist Jimmy Regalario, filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a plunder complaint against Arroyo for alleged misuse of the PCSO funds.

“The case we filed is strong. In fact, it was one of the two PCSO plunder cases admitted by the Office of the Ombudsman under Conchita Carpio Morales, and subsequently filed before the Sandiganbayan,” Hontiveros said.

Moreover, she said that the Ombudsman confirmed the diversion of funds from PCSO’s operating budget to the confidential or intelligence fund, which can be withdrawn or accessed any time and with few restrictions.

“The Ombudsman also confirmed that the said funds were converted, misused and illegally-transferred ... for their own use in the guise of fictitious expenditures,” she added.

Despite the court ruling favoring Mrs. Arroyo, Hontiveros vowed to pursue the plunder case. “I am shocked with the high court’s ruling, but we will not lose hope.” —LBG, GMA News