MANILA, May 8 (PNA) — The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) on Thursday dismissed the plunder case filed against former President and now Pampanga (2nd District) Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Ombudsman said that it found no evidence to implicate the former president and the incumbent Pampanga representative in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.
In a resolution released on Thursday, the Ombudsman said the complainants, which include several anti-Arroyo groups, failed to present documentary or testimonial evidence that would prove Arroyo’s involvement in the scheme.
“All of the documents submitted by complainant were prepared and signed by other persons, and not by respondent. Not one of them may be traced back to her. Thus, no reasonable conclusion may be made that she, directly or indirectly, took part in the alleged irregularities that attended the entire process in the release of the fund,” the Ombudsman resolution said.
The Ombudsman filed plunder charges on July 4, 2011 before the Sandiganbayan against former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo, former Agriculture Assistant secretary Ibarra Poliquit, and private individuals namely: Jaime Paule, Marilyn Araos, Joselito Flordeliza, Marites Aytona, Jose Barredo and Leonicia Marco-Llarena.
Mrs. Arroyo was initially excluded because of presidential immunity.
However, then Acting Ombudsman Orland Casimiro ordered a reinvestigation into her possible involvement, arguing that Lorenzo, after all, was her alter ego.
“Complainant failed to present any documentary or testimonial evidence proving respondent’s (Arroyo) alleged knowledge of, or participation in, the scheme perpetrated by Lorenzo and Bolante,” the resolution said.
According to Atty. Raul Lambino, legal counsel of Mrs. Arroyo, the dismissed case involves the controversial P728-million fertilizer fund scam.
Lambino said that Mrs. Arroyo already knew the decision of the Ombudsman which elated her and her entire family.
Mrs. Arroyo is currently under “hospital arrest” at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City for plunder case in connection with the alleged misuse of P366-million intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the electoral sabotage case filed against her before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC). (Philippine News Agency)
