Ex-Ombudsman Gutierrez urges public to respect dismissal of Arroyo case

Former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez on Thursday called on the public to respect the decision of the Supreme Court dismissing the plunder case against former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In a press statement sent to reporters, Gutierrez said the high court has already spoken that the case against Arroyo lacks merit since the evidence presented by the prosecution team is weak.

"The highest Court of the land, the Final Arbiter has recently ruled for her acquittal. The ruling means the Former President is free of charges," said Gutierrez, who served under the Arroyo administration.

“We are a nation governed by the rule of law, subject of the law and must have respect for the rule of law,” she added.

In a vote of 11-4, the SC En Banc on Tuesday ruled to dismiss the plunder case against Arroyo and her co-accused former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) budget and accounts manager Benigno Aguas, due to the “insufficiency of evidence” of the prosecution team.

The case stemmed from the alleged misuse of P366-million worth of PCSO’s confidential intelligence fund from 2008 to 2010 during Arroyo’s term as president.

On Thursday, the SC released its promulgated decision dismissing the plunder case.

Following its receipt of the SC decision, the Sandiganbayan First Division who is handling the case, issued a minute resolution ordering the Philippine National Police to immediately release Mrs. Arroyo and Aguas from their detention.

"The right to liberty is God given right enshrined and guaranteed under our Constitution. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was charged and detained for almost five years,” Gutierrez said.

“She must therefore be immediately released, because she has that right as a citizen of this Republic,” she added.

Gutierrez was appointed by Arroyo as Ombudsman in 2005. However, under the Aquino administration, the House of Representatives voted to impeach her due to her alleged inaction on relevant complaints before her Office, including those against  Arroyo. She resigned before the impeachment trial in the Senate could commence. —Elizabeth Marcelo/KBK, GMA News