SC to tackle GMA plunder case tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) is set to tackle tomorrow the petition of former president and reelected Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on her remaining plunder case in connection with the P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund anomaly.

Magistrates of the high court will deliberate on Arroyo’s separate petitions for bail and dismissal of the plunder charge.

An insider, who requested anonymity, said the SC justices might act on one of the petitions and issue a ruling.

The SC deferred ruling on the case of the former president on June 7.

In a three-page motion filed on Thursday, Arroyo asked the high tribunal to resolve her petition seeking dismissal of the case through demurrer to evidence.

Arroyo argued that the SC should rule on the case after the Office of the Ombudsman recently started its investigation on a new complaint for plunder and malversation involving the PSCO funds – this time covering the period from 2004 to 2007.

“The new complaint, which involves disbursements of PCSO funds for earlier years suggests that its filing is to vindicate a public wrong,” read the pleading filed by Arroyo’s lawyer, Estelito Mendoza.

Arroyo has two other motions pending with the SC, questioning the Sandiganbayan decision upholding the finding of probable cause to indict her for plunder and denying her bail petition.

The SC is expected to decide on Arroyo’s appeal after receiving complete records of the case from the anti-graft court.

Arroyo’s motion seeking house arrest has also been set for deliberation.

She earlier filed a motion seeking the urgent resolution of her plea for house arrest pending decision on her bail petition.

Arroyo lamented that the high court has not resolved the motion for house arrest she filed in December last year.

She reiterated her appeal to be transferred from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to her house in La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City.