MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petitions of four other accused in the plunder case against former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the alleged Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) fund anomaly following their acquittal by the Sandiganbayan.
In a 14-page resolution released recently, the high court said there was no need to resolve the appeal of former Commission on Audit chairman Reynaldo Villar and former PCSO directors Manuel Morato, Raymundo Roquero and Jose Taruc.
The SC said the petitions have become moot and academic after the anti-graft court dismissed the charges against them in April last year.
“The case that may have justified the filing of the consolidated petitions no longer exists. Any discussion on the probable cause supposedly underlying the petitioners’ indictment and arrest will be a theoretical exercise that will serve no judicial value,” read the resolution signed by SC clerk of court Felipa Anama.
The SC pointed out that the Sandiganbayan acquitted Morato, Roquero, Taruc and Villar of plunder charges.
The high court explained that with the granting of the demurrer to evidence and the acquittal of the accused, the continuation of the criminal proceedings could no longer be pursued.
On April 6, 2015, the Sandiganbayan dismissed the plunder charges against the accused after ombudsman prosecutors failed to prove that the PCSO funds were diverted for their own benefit.
Prior to their acquittal, the accused filed separate petitions before the SC seeking to stop the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the trial.
The petitioners also sought the reversal of the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution finding probable cause against them for violation of Republic Act 7080, the plunder law.
Last July, the SC acquitted Arroyo of plunder charges in connection with the misuse of P366 million in PCSO funds from 2008 to 2010.
The SC voted 11-4 to grant the demurrer to evidence filed by Arroyo, reversing an earlier ruling of the anti-graft court.