(Eagle News)–The Supreme Court has dismissed malversation charges against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chair Sergio Valencia.
The High Court effectively cleared the former PCSO chair of the allegations he misused the agency’s confidential and intelligence fund in 2007 to 2010 when it granted Valencia’s demurrer to evidence, which effectively reversed the Sandiganbayan’s dismissal of the same in 2015.
A demurrer to evidence is a legal remedy available to an accused if he or she wishes to seek dismissal of a case for lack of evidence.
In clearing Valencia, the SC noted the 2016 acquittal for plunder in relation to the PCSO funds of former President Gloria Arroyo.
Benigno Aguas, who was the PCSO budget and accounts manager at that time, was also cleared of plunder.
“It is well to note that the Information subject of the aforementioned cases of Arroyo and Aguas is the very same information under scrutiny in the present case wherein petitioner is their co-accused and where all the incidental matters stemmed and had their origin..,” the SC said.
“Hence, there is no reason not to apply the afore-quoted ruling in the present petition since it has reached its finality, per Entry of Judgment, on May 30, 2017,” it added.
President Rodrigo Duterte has recently ordered the termination of all forms of gambling within the mandate of the PCSO due to what he said was “massive corruption.”
He said the order covers STL, lotto, keno and peryahan ng bayan.
The PCSO has said it would appeal the order.
