THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has dismissed a plunder complaint filed in April 2016 against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and several officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Commission on Audit (CoA) over the use of intelligence funds.
The Ombudsman found no probable cause to indict the respondents, who were accused of misusing P73.6 million in intelligence funds, it said in a statement at the weekend.
Also cleared were former PCSO Vice Chairman and General Manager Rosario C. Uriarte, former Chairman Sergio O. Valencia, former Manager Benigno B. Aguas and former Manager Gloria F. Araullo.
The Ombudsman also exonerated former Audit Assistant Commissioner Lorna B. Dimapilis and former auditor Nilda B. Plaras.
The Ombudsman said government prosecutors failed to prove conspiracy among the respondents to amass ill-gotten wealth.
Prosecutors filed the complaint in 2016, six to eight years after the alleged crime happened.
The Ombudsman said there was no proof of fund misuse and “a discussion on the allegation of conspiracy among respondents becomes irrelevant.” — Genshen L. Spedido
