Ex-PCSO GM Uriarte cleared by Sandiganbayan
ANTI-GRAFT court Sandiganbayan has dropped the P365.9-million plunder charges against former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Rosario C. Uriarte. The ruling came a year after the Supreme Court (SC) acquitted former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former PCSO budget and accounts manager Benigno B. Aguas for the same case. In its decision dated May 11 and released Thursday, the Sandiganbayan First Division noted that the SC evaluated “the same sets of facts, circumstances, an evidence now under consideration.” It added: “The prosecution has not adduced any new or compelling evidence to warrant a finding different from what has already been rendered by the Supreme Court.” Echoing the SC decision, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that conspiracy took place between the three to amass the PCSO funds from 2008 to 2010. Five ex-PCSO and two Commission on Audit officials who were co-accused in the case were also cleared by the Sandiganbayan and the SC in separate decisions in 2015 and 2017. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz
Environmental group to push further research on Philippine Rise
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY group Oceana Philippines said the declaration of the Philippine Rise as a marine-protected area is just the beginning of “further scientific research.” Oceana campaign manager Daniel Ocampo, in a press briefing on Thursday, said, “We barely scratched the surface of the (area).” Oceanan Vice-president Gloria Estenzo, for her part, said government agencies mandated to protect the country’s natural resources should collaborate with local government units near the Philippine Rise in the protection of its resources. — Roberto A. Vergara, Jr.
DoT chief: TPB projects stopped amid inquiry
TOURISM SECRETARY Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Thursday said she is leaving to the Commission on Audit to “decide” on the reported controversies hounding the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), including an P80-million promotional project whose cost had been paid ahead of its completion. Ms. Puyat also said of TPB’s holdover chief operating officer, Cesar D. Montano, “I really believe he acted in good faith.” She also assured Mr. Montano’s cooperation in any further inquiry. “(I advised) Mr. Montano and, to be fair, (he agreed), ‘Stop all projects.’”
