AN urban-poor group on Wednesday urged the legal team of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to study the filing of charges against former President Benigno S. Aquino III and officials of his administration who had a hand in having Arroyo detained for almost five years.
The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday junked the plunder case filed against her and a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) official in connection with alleged anomalies in the disbursement of PCSO funds.
Ramon de Leon, leader of Kongreso ng Maralitang Pilipino, said the plunder case against Arroyo was “only political persecution by the Aquino administration.”
“Because of Aquino, President Arroyo was arrested ng walang kasalanan. Nalaman na ng sambayanang Pilipino na ang ating Pangulong [Arroyo] ay walang kasalanan,” de Leon said.
Arroyo was detained since 2012 at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City, following the filing of a plunder case, which stemmed from alleged misuse of P366-million intelligence funds of the PCSO.
Arroyo is expected to be released from the VMMC any time on Wednesday afternoon, after the Sandiganbayan receives a copy of the decision and release order from the SC.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday, however, said her agency will still continue investigating the other cases filed against Arroyo, including her alleged involvement in the alleged misuse of PCSO intelligence funds from 2004 to 2007.
“[If] after investigation, and we believe that there was probable cause, then we will certainly [bring] her to court,’” Morales said in a news conference.
The Ombudsman added her office provided enough evidence to convict Arroyo for plunder in the case junked by the SC.
“When we file cases, we are very confident that the evidence we gathered supports the conviction of the accused…. We were able to present strong evidence consisting of 600-plus pieces of evidence,” she said.
“If we receive it [Supreme Court decision] and we believe that a motion for reconsideration is warranted, we will certainly file one,” she added.
On Tuesday the SC dismissed the remaining plunder case filed against Arroyo, paving the way for her release from detention at the VMMC in Quezon City.
Following her acquittal from plunder charges, Arroyo on Tuesday thanked President Duterte for allowing due process to take its course “totally unhampered.”
“It is my fervent hope that nobody else will suffer the persecution that had been levied on me through self-serving interpretation and implementation of the law. And that the disregard of truth for which I was made to suffer be dealt with accordingly at the soonest possible time,” Arroyo added in a statement.
Arroyo also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the SC for finally stopping “the persecution [she] had unjustly gone through for the last five years.”
“Keep the faith in the justice system. First and foremost, to God Almighty be all the glory and praise. Through His kindness and mercy, justice and righteousness have once again prevailed over injustice and wrongdoing,” she said.
“I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to his excellency, President Rodrigo Duterte, and to the honorable members of the Supreme Court. With the High Tribunal rendering a final decision on this unfortunate episode, I sincerely hope that everyone will respect and recognize the truth that has been established,” Arroyo added.
Arroyo also thanked her supporters for their unending prayers and moral support for her freedom, saying they had been an immeasurable help in keeping her faith and conviction that truth and justice will ultimately prevail.